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

American rapper Macklemore has announced a "Free Palestine" tour, with all proceeds going to organizations supporting Palestinians. The announcement follows his removal from Ed Sheeran's ongoing tour after Macklemore expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments during a performance in New Jersey.

Macklemore stated that his schedule "opened up a bit" and that the "Free Palestine" tour will include stops in Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29, and London on October 30. He mentioned that "friends" will join him, with their identities to be revealed later. He described the situation as a "collective awakening" regarding Palestinian liberation and the censorship attempts by billionaires, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond a single artist or stage.

Previously, Macklemore performed as a warm-up act for Ed Sheeran in September, calling for "Free Palestine." This led to increased pressure for his removal. According to Macklemore, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, personally contacted Sheeran, stating Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at his stadium due to "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery."

Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his own but came from advertisers and venues that threatened to cancel subsequent shows if Macklemore continued to perform. Sheeran also stated he would not be drawn into a public debate about the war in Gaza. The controversy escalated, causing other opening acts, including Finneas and Lukas Graham, to withdraw from the tour.

Following the controversy, Macklemore announced he would donate his entire earnings from the remaining Ed Sheeran tour dates, estimated at $1 million, to six Palestinian aid organizations. He also challenged Kraft to match the donation. Kraft indicated he and Sheeran plan to "work together to build bridges."

Sheeran himself addressed the backlash during a Philadelphia performance, apologizing to fans and acknowledging difficult decisions and mistakes. He also reiterated his stance on the conflict, condemning the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel as "horrific" and a "centuries-old Jewish pain," while describing the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic, unjust, and disproportionate."