Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour after removal from Ed Sheeran concerts

Tour announcement and European dates

American rapper Macklemore announced on 24 September 2026 that he will launch a solo concert tour titled the Free Palestine Tour starting in late October. The 43-year-old musician, who maintains nearly 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify, scheduled the initial run of performances in Dublin, Paris, and London. Promoters plan to confirm United States dates and additional guest performers in subsequent announcements under the billing Macklemore and Friends. Macklemore stated that all proceeds generated from the tour will be donated directly to organizations supporting Palestinian relief and liberation efforts. Ticket presales for the European venues open on Monday, with general admission sales beginning on Wednesday.

“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention.”

Removal from the Ed Sheeran stadium tour

The concert series was organized after Macklemore was dropped from his role as opening act on British pop singer Ed Sheeran's United States Loop Tour. The rapper had been contracted to appear at eight additional stadium stops before organizers terminated his participation following remarks in New Jersey. During performances on 4 and 5 September at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore delivered pro-Palestinian speeches and led stadium chants from the stage. Venue owners across the tour itinerary subsequently voiced objections to his ongoing appearances. Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, confirmed that Macklemore was barred from the facility, pointing to previous controversies over anti-Jewish tropes.

Backlash and solidarity departures

The decision to remove Macklemore provoked backlash across the music industry and prompted several other acts to withdraw from Sheeran's tour. American musician Finneas, singer Aaron Rowe, and Irish folk group Beoga all exited the tour lineup in direct solidarity with the rapper. Other figures in British entertainment, including punk rap duo Bob Vylan and online creator Chunkz, issued public statements supporting Macklemore's position. Sheeran addressed the controversy during a concert in Philadelphia, explaining that tour promoters made the decision to remove Macklemore and noting that he had attempted to find a compromise. Sheeran also characterized the conditions in Gaza as unjustifiable, while Israeli officials maintained that military operations in the region constitute lawful self-defense.

“Being apolitical during a genocide doesn't work anymore. People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community. To use the stage for more than entertainment. To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”

History of scrutiny and artist expression

The dispute surrounding the stadium tour brought renewed attention to Macklemore's past appearances and long-running criticism of Israeli policy in Gaza and the West Bank. In 2014, the musician drew widespread condemnation during an event in Seattle after appearing in a costume featuring a wig, beard, and exaggerated artificial nose. While Macklemore described the outfit at the time as a random disguise and posted an apology, venue executives continued to cite the incident in discussions regarding his live appearances. The fallout reflects contrasting philosophies regarding political speech in commercial entertainment, dividing performers who treat stadiums as platforms for activism from promoters who aim to maintain broad, nonpartisan audience appeal.