Macklemore has turned a messy tour fallout into a new concert run centred on solidarity. The rapper announced his Free Palestine Tour more than a week after being removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following his outspoken support for Palestinians.
In his announcement, Macklemore seemingly addressed Sheeran when he wrote: 'It's 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn't work anymore.'
The timing is hard to miss. What started with Macklemore speaking about the issue from the stage quickly became a wider dispute over free speech, artists using their platforms and whether concerts should stay away from political issues. Now, instead of stepping back, Macklemore is putting the message at the centre of his own tour.
Macklemore Reveals New Tour Dates
Macklemore announced the Free Palestine Tour on 24 September with three European dates currently confirmed. He will perform in Dublin on 26 October, Paris on 29 October and London on 30 October, with further US dates currently being organised. The other artists joining him have not yet been revealed.
The rapper said he had spent the previous week reaching out to artists who had publicly stood in solidarity with Palestinians 'regardless of the consequences.'
'Being apolitical during a genocide doesn't work anymore,' he wrote, adding that people are asking artists to 'show up, educate themselves and be in community.'
For Macklemore, the tour is also about what happened after his comments on Sheeran's tour. In his statement, he argued that the controversy was bigger than one artist or one stage and raised concerns about the influence of powerful venue owners and promoters.
And there is a financial commitment behind the message. All proceeds from the new shows will benefit organisations supporting Palestinians and the Palestinian movement, according to the announcement.
Sheeran Addresses the Macklemore Fallout
Earlier this month, Macklemore spoke in support of Palestine during his opening performance at Ed Sheeran's concert. He called for a 'Free Palestine' and said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
Macklemore was subsequently removed from Sheeran's remaining US dates. Sheeran said the tour promoter made the decision after venues pushed back against Macklemore performing.
Sheeran later addressed the controversy directly during his 19 September concert in Philadelphia. He apologised for 'making mistakes' and said he was sorry for how the situation had unfolded. He also addressed Gaza, describing what was happening there as 'catastrophic' and 'unjustifiable,' while condemning the 7 October attacks in Israel.
Sheeran maintained that he had not personally made the decision to remove Macklemore. He also said he never wanted to be an activist musician, explaining that he had found himself caught in the middle of a highly divisive debate.
Macklemore's Longstanding Palestine Support
Macklemore's latest move is part of a longer record of public support for Palestinians. In 2024, he released 'Hind's Hall,' a protest song inspired by student demonstrations at Columbia University. Proceeds were pledged to UNRWA USA, a US-based nonprofit supporting humanitarian efforts for Palestine refugees.
He has continued speaking about Palestinian rights since then, including through performances and public statements. Earlier this month, he also pledged $1 million (around £740,000) from his tour earnings to Palestinian aid organisations following his removal from Sheeran's tour.
