Macklemore recently shared that tickets for all three of his upcoming tour dates aimed at supporting Palestinians were quickly snapped up. The announcement of the Free Palestine tour, which includes shows in Dublin, Paris, and London in October, was made by the four-time Grammy winner just a week ago.
While the rapper hasn’t disclosed the lineup for the shows yet, it is mentioned in the initial announcement that the performances will feature Macklemore “and friends.” He assured fans that details about the guest artists would be revealed soon.
The European tour was unveiled after Macklemore was removed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour leg. Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, Macklemore praised the rapid organization of the shows, emphasizing the importance of musicians standing in solidarity with Palestine.
Although there is no confirmation on Canadian tour dates yet, Macklemore expressed his appreciation to the audiences in Dublin, Paris, and London for their overwhelming support. The concerts are set to benefit various Palestinian aid organizations, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and UNRWA USA.
The decision to drop Macklemore from Sheeran’s tour was reportedly influenced by threats from owners of American venues, including Robert Kraft, chairman of The Kraft Group. Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian stance has been a consistent part of his public statements over the years.
Following Sheeran’s public statement addressing the controversy, all other opening acts, including Sheeran’s backing band, withdrew from the tour. Sheeran clarified his position during a performance in Philadelphia, stating that he never intended to be known as an activist musician. The shows at Gillette Stadium were later canceled due to severe weather conditions.