Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour after removal from Ed Sheeran shows
US rapper Macklemore has announced his Free Palestine benefit tour across Dublin, Paris, and London, pledging all proceeds to humanitarian aid groups following his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Tour announcement and European dates
American rapper Macklemore announced a concert series titled the "Free Palestine Tour" on 24 September 2026, scheduling three European arena dates ahead of a planned American leg. The performances will begin at the 3Arena in Dublin on 26 October 2026, before moving to Paris for a concert at the Accor Arena on 29 October and concluding the European run at Wembley in London on 30 October. Tour promoter Live Nation confirmed that the events will pair Macklemore with other artists who have used their platforms to advocate for Palestinians. Ticket presales for the opening Dublin performance will begin at 10:00 on 28 September through the Three+ platform, followed by general public sales opening at 10:00 on 30 September. Production teams are currently finalizing the participating guest artists, daily schedules, and subsequent tour dates across the United States.
- Dublin concert at 3Arena
- Paris concert at Accor Arena
- London concert at Wembley
Charitable proceeds and beneficiary organizations
All ticket revenue generated from the concert series will be donated directly to humanitarian and advocacy organizations supporting Palestinians. Organizers identified twelve recipient groups across relief, medical assistance, and community aid sectors. These include the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Anera, Glia, the Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, and HEAL Palestine. Funds will also go to Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA, the Palestinian Youth Movement, the Middle East Children's Alliance, and the Institute for Middle East Understanding. The anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace is also listed among the recipient organizations. The initiative aims to direct commercial concert revenues entirely toward humanitarian relief and political advocacy.
Removal from the Ed Sheeran tour
The benefit series comes after Macklemore was removed as an opening act from Ed Sheeran's concert tour in the United States. Macklemore took part in two performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he wore a keffiyeh and delivered speeches in support of Palestinian liberation. Billionaire Robert Kraft requested Macklemore's removal from the remaining tour schedule following those onstage statements. Following Macklemore's dismissal, all other scheduled opening acts on the tour withdrew from their appearances in solidarity. Sheeran addressed the decision during his subsequent concert appearance, telling the audience that he had made mistakes regarding the situation.
Statements on artistic responsibility
Macklemore outlined his rationale in an announcement published on Instagram, explaining that his public stance reflects a wider change in audience expectations over the past three years. He had previously addressed the conflict on stage in other countries, including during a 2024 performance at Rock in Rio Lisbon in Portugal. In his statement, he addressed the expectations placed on public performers.
It's 2026. 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.
He also commented on the corporate dynamics behind performance cancellations, describing the situation as broader than a single tour.
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.
Macklemore said he spent the preceding week contacting other musicians willing to perform despite potential professional consequences, noting that further concert details will follow as planning finishes.
