Macklemore’s suddenly open calendar is filling up fast.
Less than two weeks after being sensationally removed from Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour’ amid fallout from his pro-Palestinian remarks, the rapper has announced his own arena trek.
Its name? ‘FREE PALESTINE.’
And the very message that sat at the center of the controversy will now headline shows in London, Paris, and Dublin, with more dates already promised.
Full story below…
Macklemore will launch the run at Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26, followed by Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29 and London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30.
Additional cities, including US dates, are set to be announced, while a selection of artists and friends will also join the 43-year-old.
Announcing the shows in a new statement, Macklemore nodded to the dramatic shift in his touring plans:
“So, as you all know, my schedule freed up a bit.”
The pointed quip follows a turbulent few weeks that began when the ‘Thrift Shop’ MC declared “Free Palestine” and performed protest track ‘Hind’s Hall’ while opening for Ed Sheeran at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
His remarks sparked heated debate and calls for his removal. Promoter Messina Touring Group later said several upcoming US venues would not stage the concerts with Macklemore on the bill.
The rapper subsequently gave his account of the behind-the-scenes battle, naming New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft as a key figure. Kraft said his objections centered on material he considered offensive to the Jewish community, while Macklemore has denied that his advocacy for Palestinians is antisemitic.
Sheeran, meanwhile, stressed that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his. The fallout intensified when FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga withdrew from dates in solidarity.
At his first concert after the controversy, Sheeran addressed the situation on stage and spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The saga has also resulted in sizeable aid pledges. Macklemore committed $1 million in ‘Loop Tour’ earnings to organizations supporting Palestinians, while Sheeran separately pledged $2 million.
Now, that fundraising focus is extending to the ‘FREE PALESTINE’ concerts, with all proceeds set to benefit organizations providing medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, advocacy, and community support. Beneficiaries include Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and UNRWA USA, among others.
So, barely days after “Free Palestine” became the focal point of his exit from another artist’s stadium tour, Macklemore is placing those same words atop his own arena bill.
With guest performers, additional cities, and US shows still to be revealed, there’s clearly more to come.
Artist presale begins September 28 at 10am local time, with general sale following September 30 at 10am via Macklemore.com.
Where’s loud mouth Pink?! Shes all of a sudden very quiet!
In Netanyahu’s hary kosher saggy a*** hole…..
Not to be rude but who is he?
A nobody with no personality but a lot of white guilt shame and antisemitism that he projects on Jews. Just like all the free Fakeistan moral narcissists freaks who wear this conflict as a custom bcz they lack personality and meaning in life.
This mf used Ed as a jumping platform for his trrist backed tour, just look at the logos of all this terrist organizations sold his soul to osama bin laden and his friends.
Are LGBTQ allowed in? We’re illegal in Pal-es-tine, you know
Gay people are illegal in most of the world if i remember right, and yet i don’t think systemic issues that need addressing (and which are being addressed by people fighting in their own communities, if you actually cared to learn about how to make progress on these issues) justify ethnic cleansing. Israel is full of pdfs too, which seems like a pretty bad systemic issue, so idk what your point is?
Edjamin Satanyahu!!!
Islm the satanic religion