US rapper Macklemore launched his Free Palestine Tour in Dublin following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestinian remarks, with fans and supporters praising his stance amid broader debates about artistic freedom and political expression.
Macklemore’s Free Palestine Tour kicked off in Dublin, with sold-out shows drawing thousands of fans who celebrated his decision to speak out on Palestinian issues. The 43-year-old rapper had been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour in September after shouting Free Palestine!
onstage and criticizing Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Sheeran’s promoter, not the artist himself, made the call to remove Macklemore, a move that sparked outrage among musicians and pro-Palestinian activists. The controversy began in early September when Macklemore opened for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and said Free Palestine
from the stage, according to the Guardian.
Macklemore Unveils Free Palestine Tour Amid Backlash
Macklemore addressed global injustices during his performance in Dublin, stating ‘Being a human being in this moment is not complicated.’. It is not political.
It is human to have a heart
. Macklemore expressed solidarity with people in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, and Haiti, as well as those affected by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Fans like Freya Dorrity, an 18-year-old student, said Ever since (Macklemore) started talking about Palestine, it makes us like him even more
. The event drew criticism from Jewish groups, who criticized him after he made political speeches. He referred to the death toll from Israel’s military action in Gaza as a genocide, though Macklemore distanced himself from such claims. Sheeran later stated that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by tour promoters, not himself, and defended his choice to continue the tour amid the fallout.
The controversy escalated when other tour acts, including American singer Finneas, pulled out in solidarity with Macklemore. Sheeran also faced backlash for not publicly supporting Macklemore’s removal, with some activists accusing him of prioritizing business interests over political principles. Meanwhile, producer Jack Antonoff, known for his work with Taylor Swift, supported Macklemore’s stance, telling The Guardian that he had faced online abuse for saying Free Palestine
at his own concerts.
Controversy Surrounds Macklemore’s Pro-Palestinian Remarks
Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour stemmed from his 2024 protest song Hind’s Hall
and remarks about the Gaza conflict. The dispute intensified after Macklemore criticized the death toll from Israel’s military action in Gaza, calling it a genocide
, a claim Israel rejects. Macklemore defended his actions, while emphasizing his commitment to addressing humanitarian crises. The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to an unprecedented Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 70,000 people have been killed in Gaza, a figure the UN considers reliable.
Tour Dates Expand to Paris and London
Macklemore’s Free Palestine Tour includes dates in Paris and London, with the Dublin show marking the start of the tour. The UN has deemed the Gaza death toll reliable, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Macklemore announces a ‘Free Palestine’ tour, with additional artists set to join the lineup to be announced soon.All proceeds from the tour will benefit organizations supporting Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/Fj7vRYpXaM
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Macklemore closes out his “Free Palestine” tour kickoff in Dublin with “Can’t Hold Us.” pic.twitter.com/5VWMW7OYTA