Dropped from Sheeran tour, Macklemore launches ‘Free Palestine’ shows

Grammy-winning US rapper Macklemore has announced a new ‘Free Palestine Tour’ following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after speaking publicly in support of Palestinians, Al Jazeera reports.

The 43-year-old rapper announced on Thursday that the tour will include performances in Dublin, Paris and London in late October. He said additional musicians would join him, with their names to be announced later, while US dates are also being organised.

Macklemore said all proceeds from the tour would be donated to causes supporting Palestinians and the wider movement for Palestinian rights.

In a statement, he said recent events had demonstrated a shift in public attitudes towards Palestinian liberation and the role of artists in speaking out on political issues.

“It’s 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore,” Macklemore said, adding that artists were increasingly being asked to educate themselves, engage with their audiences and use their platforms beyond entertainment.

The announcement comes weeks after Macklemore voiced support for Palestine during a performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4, where he was performing as one of Sheeran’s opening acts.

“A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine,’” he told the audience, while calling for peace, dignity, respect and equality for all.

Macklemore was subsequently dropped from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s tour. Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, later said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform there, citing what he described as the rapper’s history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Macklemore has alleged that Kraft pressured owners of other stadiums on the tour to prevent him from performing. Neither Kraft nor Sheeran has publicly confirmed that allegation. Sheeran, however, said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoter.

The rapper’s new tour has received support from several public figures and musicians, including British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan and British YouTuber and influencer Chunkz.