Macklemore Launches Free Palestine Tour After Sheeran Exit

Seattle rapper Macklemore has announced the Free Palestine Tour, a three-city run beginning October 26 in Dublin, followed by Paris and London. The tour comes after he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour for making pro-Palestine remarks onstage. All proceeds will go to organizations supporting Palestinian aid and the movement for liberation.

The tour marks a bold response to the controversy that erupted when Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s stadium tour. During a September 14 show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine” from the stage, a statement that led to his removal. He later alleged that NFL team owner Robert Kraft, who also owns Gillette Stadium, pressured Sheeran to drop him—or risk being banned from performing at NFL-owned venues.

Macklemore framed the decision as a moral stand. In an Instagram post, he wrote that “being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore” and called for artists to use their platforms for more than entertainment. The fallout was immediate: supporting acts Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga all withdrew from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity. Sheeran later addressed the controversy onstage, apologizing for “making mistakes.”

Tour Details & What to Expect

The Free Palestine Tour kicks off with three confirmed dates: - October 26 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena - October 29 – Paris, France @ Accor Arena - October 30 – London, UK @ Wembley Arena

Macklemore has teased that more artists and U.S. dates will be announced soon. Tickets go on sale next Wednesday, with a presale starting Monday at 10 AM local time. Fans can sign up for updates at macklemore.com.

Why This Tour Matters

Macklemore’s decision to center Palestinian solidarity reflects a growing movement among artists to use their platforms for political advocacy. He has pledged $1 million from his Loop Tour earnings to Palestinian aid organizations, challenging figures like Robert Kraft—who donated $2 million to unspecified regional aid—to clarify where their money goes.

The tour also highlights the tension between artistic freedom and corporate influence. Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour underscored how billionaire stadium owners can dictate which voices are allowed onstage. His response—turning the controversy into a fundraising effort—positions the tour as both a statement and a call to action.

Who Is Macklemore?

Born Ben Haggerty in Seattle, Macklemore rose to fame in the 2010s with hits like “Thrift Shop,” “Same Love,” and “Can’t Hold Us.” Known for blending pop, hip-hop, and socially conscious lyrics, he has long used his music to address issues like LGBTQ+ rights, addiction, and racial justice. His willingness to speak out on Palestine—despite backlash—reinforces his reputation as an artist unafraid to take political risks.

How to Support & Attend

• Ticket Info: Presale starts Monday, 10 AM local time; general sale Wednesday, 10 AM local time.
• Proceeds: All ticket sales will benefit Palestinian aid organizations.
• Updates: Follow Macklemore’s website for artist announcements and additional tour dates.

For fans, the tour offers a chance to see Macklemore in an intimate arena setting while supporting a cause he has championed publicly. Whether more artists will join him—and whether U.S. dates materialize—remains to be seen, but the tour’s message is already clear: artists have a role to play in political movements, and silence is no longer an option.