Macklemore recently shared that tickets for his upcoming tour, aimed at supporting Palestinian causes, were quickly sold out across all three announced shows. The tour, titled the Free Palestine tour, includes stops in Dublin, Paris, and London in October. Although the lineup for the shows has not been disclosed yet, the initial announcement suggested that the performances would feature the rapper “and friends,” with further details on the lineup to be revealed soon.
The decision to embark on the three-show European tour followed Macklemore’s removal as the opening act for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour. Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, Macklemore emphasized the swift organization of the shows and the collective effort to stand in solidarity with Palestine and raise funds through music performances.
While inquiries about potential Canadian shows remain unanswered, Macklemore expressed his appreciation to the Dublin, Paris, and London audience for their overwhelming support. The tour, organized in collaboration with Live Nation, aims to benefit various Palestinian aid organizations, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and UNRWA USA.
The decision to exclude Macklemore from Sheeran’s tour was influenced by threats from venue owners in the U.S. who objected to the rapper’s pro-Palestinian stance. Notably, Robert Kraft, the chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group, was among those who threatened to cancel the shows. Macklemore, known for his longstanding support of Palestinian causes, has been vocal about his views on different platforms in the past.
Following Sheeran’s acknowledgment of the situation and his statement that he did not intend to be an activist musician, all other opening acts, including Sheeran’s backing band, withdrew from the tour. The shows scheduled at Gillette Stadium were eventually canceled due to inclement weather conditions.
