Macklemore Announces "Free Palestine" Tour After Ed Sheeran Show Removal

Rapper Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, announced on Thursday the launch of a new "Free Palestine Tour." This announcement follows his removal from British singer Ed Sheeran's tour just days earlier, after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian statements on stage in early September. Macklemore stated that his schedule had "opened up a bit" and confirmed that all proceeds from the new tour would be donated to organizations supporting Palestinians.

Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's tour occurred after he chanted "Free Palestine" during a performance in New Jersey and dedicated a song to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University. Following his dismissal, Macklemore claimed that a "billionaire class" was attempting to censor calls for Palestinian liberation, asserting that his experience was "bigger than one artist or one stage." He was also accused by billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft of "hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric" concerning Israel and Gaza.

The controversy led to the cancellation of all opening acts for Sheeran's shows in solidarity, and ticket prices for the tour reportedly dropped. Ed Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by his tour promoter, not by him. During a Philadelphia show, Sheeran apologized for "mistakes" in handling the situation, calling the conflict a "humanitarian issue." He described the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack as "horrific" but also deemed the situation in Gaza "unjustified and disproportionate."

Macklemore stated he had spoken with other artists who used their platforms to express solidarity with Palestinians without regard for consequences. Singer Sinead O'Connor accused Sheeran of choosing "capitalism over doing the right thing." Macklemore's new tour is scheduled to begin in Dublin on October 26, followed by Paris on October 29 and London on October 30. Additional U.S. dates are expected, with further ticket sales beginning next week. Macklemore concluded by saying, "This is a moment of momentum, and there is work to be done."