Macklemore Launches Free Palestine Tour After Ed Sheeran Controversy

American rapper Macklemore has launched his Free Palestine tour in Dublin, attracting a sold-out crowd of up to 13,000 people following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour over his public comments supporting Palestinians.

The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, performed at Dublin’s 3Arena alongside several special guests, including Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, rap group Kneecap and folk band Beoga.

The concert marked the beginning of a new tour announced shortly after Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s Loop Tour in September. Proceeds from the Free Palestine tour are expected to support organisations providing assistance to Palestinians.

The Dublin performance attracted strong support from fans, many of whom arrived wearing Palestinian jerseys, keffiyeh scarves and displaying Palestinian and Irish flags.

Fans rally behind Macklemore

Concertgoers travelled from different parts of Ireland to attend the sold-out show, with some describing their attendance as an opportunity to support the rapper’s willingness to speak publicly about the conflict in Gaza.

Nicola McCollough, who travelled from Belfast with her daughter, Lily Rose Murphy, said public figures should use their platforms to speak about issues they believe in.

Other fans described the concert as an important gathering for people who wanted to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians.

Gillian Duffy, who travelled from Cork with her son, said demand for the event reflected the level of public support for Macklemore’s position.

The atmosphere outside the venue was marked by Palestinian flags, merchandise and symbols of solidarity, alongside items representing Irish identity and the Irish rap group Kneecap.

The event also featured surprise guest appearances, fulfilling Macklemore’s promise that the Dublin concert would include a number of special performers.

Why Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s tour

The controversy began in early September when Macklemore, performing as a support act for Sheeran in New Jersey, used his time on stage to express support for Palestinians.

He told the audience that one of the reasons he wanted to join the tour was to stand before stadium crowds and say, “Free Palestine.”

He also performed a song dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University, with lyrics criticising Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

His comments prompted criticism from some Jewish organisations and other public figures, who argued that his rhetoric was offensive and antisemitic. Macklemore’s supporters, however, defended his right to advocate for Palestinians and draw attention to civilian suffering.

On 14 September, Macklemore was removed from the tour. He subsequently criticised the decision and suggested that concert venues and industry figures had coordinated efforts to exclude him.

Sheeran later clarified that the decision had been made by the tour’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, rather than by him personally.

Sheeran also addressed the controversy during a performance in Philadelphia, acknowledging mistakes in how the situation had been handled. He described the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian issue and called it unjustifiable and disproportionate, while also condemning the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Gaza conflict remains central to debate

Macklemore’s comments have contributed to wider debate about the role of musicians in political advocacy and whether artists should face professional consequences for expressing views on international conflicts.

Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel in October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. More than 70,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed during Israel’s subsequent military campaign, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel says its military operations are aimed at defending the country and defeating Hamas, while rejecting accusations that its conduct constitutes genocide.

Macklemore is scheduled to perform in Paris on Thursday and London on Friday as the tour continues.

His Dublin appearance signals a new chapter in his public advocacy, with the rapper using live performances to raise funds for organisations supporting Palestinians and to keep attention on the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.