Macklemore launches 3-date ‘Free Palestine’ tour in Dublin, Paris, and London in response to Ed Sheeran controversy

Leigh BlickleyThu, September 24, 2026 at 4:45 PM UTC

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Macklemore in 2023Credit: Joseph Okpako/WireImageKey Points -

Macklemore announced a 3-date Free Palestine Tour after he was dropped by Ed Sheeran.

The rapper said the tour is aimed to benefit and “stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s tour amid requests from venue owners to do so after his pro-Palestine comments.

Macklemore is trying to make good out of an unfortunate situation.

The rapper (real name Benjamin Hammond Haggerty) announced the three-date Free Palestine Touron Thursday, 10 days after Ed Sheeran controversially dropped him from his Loop tour following Macklemore’s pro-Palestine comments on stage during shows at MetLife Stadium this month. Of the decision, Sheeran claimed that “venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows” if Macklemore remained the supporting act.

Musicians and fans alike rallied around Macklemore in the aftermath, with Sheeran’s opening acts, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham, as well as Sheeran’s backing band, Beoga, and Finneas, who was set to join the “Shape of You” singer in November for several South American shows, departing the tour.

Sheeran has since apologized and addressed the controversy on tour, telling the audience at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday that although he never wanted to be “an activist musician,” he’s “had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so sorry.”

While announcing his Free Palestine gig on Thursday, Macklemore shared that “being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore.”

“If these last couple of weeks have shown us anything, it’s that something has shifted over the last three years. There has been a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation, the power of billionaires that try to censor that call, and what we expect from artists right now,” Macklemore began his tour announcement on Instagram. “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.”

Macklemore and Ed Sheeran in 2014.Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty

Macklemore added that what happened to him is “bigger than one artist or one stage,” and again mentioned the billionaire class, who apparently get to “decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear.”

He continued, “So, as you all know, my schedule freed up a bit. I’ve spent the last week reaching out to artists who have shown up and used their stages to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, regardless of the consequences. Artists who understand that our platforms mean very little if we’re only willing to use them when it’s safe.”

The “Thrift Shop” performer noted that the tour has come together quickly and, although details and schedules are still being worked out, the tour is set to hit Dublin, Paris, and London on Oct. 26, Oct. 29, and Oct. 30, respectively, with artist announcements and U.S. dates “coming soon.”

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Ticket presale starts Monday at 10 a.m. local, with the sale going wide on Macklemore.com Wednesday at 10 a.m. local. “All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement,” Macklemore added.

The poster for the tour noted the organizations that will benefit, which include Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, HEAL Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.

Musical acts like Garbage, Tones and I, and Bob Vylan supported Macklemore in the comments of his social media post.

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The “Glorious” singer previously shared his disappointment after being let go by Sheeran, whom he has called a friend for years. “Our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened,” he stated in his lengthy post.

He also pledged to donate his $1 million earnings from Sheeran’s tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people.” He challenged Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium who refused to let him perform at his venue, to do the same.

“Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting,” the rapper wrote. “A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”

Gillette Stadium posted a response from Kraft, which stated he believes “all lives are worth protecting” and he plans to “build bridges” with the other venue owners in light of the controversy.

on Entertainment Weekly

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”