Macklemore has unveiled a run of European shows under the name ‘Free Palestine Tour’, just weeks after being pulled from Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour’ over his pro Palestinian comments on stage.
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The rapper said he had spent the past week contacting other artists who have used their platforms to support Palestinians, working to pull together a lineup in a hurry. He acknowledged on Instagram that many details, including scheduling, were still coming together given how fast the plans had moved.
Three dates are confirmed so far: Dublin, Paris and London’s Wembley Arena in October, with more cities expected soon, including stops in the United States. Tickets go on sale September 30th, with all money raised going toward groups aiding Palestinians, among them are Gaza Soup Kitchen, Heal Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.
In his announcement, Macklemore argued that public attitudes have shifted over the past three years around Palestinian rights and the influence wealthy figures can have in trying to quiet that message. He said staying neutral during a genocide no longer holds any power or change, and that audiences now expect performers to speak up rather than simply entertain.
The tour follows his removal from Sheeran’s US dates after comments made during a New Jersey concert. Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner whose company runs Gillette Stadium, blocked Macklemore from performing there, saying the venue would not host what he called hate speech. Several of Sheeran’s other supporting acts, including his own band, Lukas Graham and Finneas, later dropped out of the tour in solidarity.
Sheeran addressed the fallout directly with fans over the weekend at a concert, apologising for how the situation had been handled and admitting he had made mistakes. He called October 7th “horrific” while also describing the devastation in Gaza as “catastrophic”, saying the “scale of civilian and child deaths had broken his heart”.
Kraft said he has spent much of his life working to bring people together and pointed to his own record of supporting programs that connect young Israelis and Palestinians.
The broader conflict remains at the center of the dispute. Hamas led militants killed roughly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in the October 2023 attack. Israel’s offensive since then has killed close to 74,000 Palestinians according to Gaza’s health ministry, a toll accepted by Israel and viewed as broadly reliable by UN agencies.
