Macklemore recently shared that tickets for his upcoming tour aimed at supporting Palestinian causes were quickly snapped up, with all three scheduled shows selling out in no time. The announcement of the Free Palestine tour for October in Dublin, Paris, and London was made by the four-time Grammy winner just a week ago.
Although Macklemore has not disclosed the lineup for the tour, he mentioned in an initial post that the performances would include the rapper himself “and friends.” He assured fans that details regarding the performers would be revealed soon.
The decision to launch the European tour came shortly after Macklemore was removed as the opening act for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour leg. Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, Macklemore expressed his surprise at the overwhelming support for the fast-organized shows, emphasizing the importance of musicians coming together to support Palestine and demonstrate the power of collective action.
While inquiries were made about potential shows in Canada, Macklemore’s representatives have not responded. The tour, organized by Live Nation, aims to raise funds for various Palestinian aid organizations such as Gaza Soup Kitchen, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and UNRWA USA.
The decision to part ways with Sheeran’s tour came after several American venue owners threatened to cancel Sheeran’s shows if Macklemore continued as the opening act. Notably, Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group, was among those who opposed Macklemore’s involvement due to the rapper’s longstanding pro-Palestinian stance.
Macklemore, known for his vocal support of Palestinian causes over the years, has previously articulated similar views on different platforms. Following the controversy, Sheeran addressed the situation during a show in Philadelphia, expressing his reluctance to be seen as an activist musician and emphasizing the challenges faced during the tour.
The Gillette Stadium shows were eventually called off due to severe weather conditions, leading to all other openers, including Sheeran’s backing band, withdrawing from the tour.