Macklemore recently revealed that all tickets for his upcoming tour dedicated to supporting causes for Palestinians were quickly snapped up. The tour, named the Free Palestine tour, features three shows in Dublin, Paris, and London scheduled for October.
Although the lineup for the performances has not been disclosed yet, the initial announcement mentioned that the shows would showcase the rapper “and friends.” Macklemore hinted that details about the lineup would be announced soon.
The decision to embark on the European tour followed Macklemore’s removal as an opening act for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour. Expressing gratitude on Instagram, Macklemore emphasized the rapid organization of the shows and the importance of musicians standing in solidarity with Palestine to raise funds for the cause.
While there is no confirmation regarding Canadian shows, Macklemore acknowledged the overwhelming response from Dublin, Paris, and London. Proceeds from the concerts will support various Palestinian aid organizations, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and UNRWA USA.
The tour announcement came after Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s tour due to pressure from venue owners in the U.S. Sheeran later revealed that threats to cancel shows came from individuals like Robert Kraft, CEO of The Kraft Group.
Macklemore’s advocacy for Palestinian rights has been a recurring theme in his career, with past instances of expressing pro-Palestinian views on different platforms. Following the controversy, Sheeran addressed the situation during a show in Philadelphia, stating his reluctance to be known as an activist musician.
Ultimately, all opening acts, including Sheeran’s backing band, withdrew from the tour, leading to the cancellation of shows at Gillette Stadium due to adverse weather conditions.