American rapper Macklemore announced a Free Palestine concert tour on Thursday, September 24, with shows scheduled in Dublin, Paris and London in late October. He said proceeds from the performances would go to organizations supporting Palestinians. The announcement follows his removal from Ed Sheeran’s North American tour after he voiced support for Palestinians during a concert in New Jersey, according to Reuters and the Associated Press.
The first show is scheduled for Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26, followed by the Accor Arena in Paris on October 29 and OVO Arena Wembley in London on October 30, according to the venues and Irish broadcaster RTÉ. Macklemore plans to perform with other artists, whose names have yet to be announced. He also said further dates, including shows in the United States, would be disclosed later.
A listing from Dublin’s 3Arena says all concert proceeds will benefit 12 named organizations, including Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and UNRWA USA. The venue describes their work as spanning medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, community support and advocacy. The Paris venue, Accor Arena, independently lists the October 29 concert and the same beneficiary organizations.
The tour comes after Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s Loop Tour following remarks he made at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early September. The Associated Press reported that four other support acts later withdrew from the tour in solidarity. Sheeran subsequently described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable during a Philadelphia concert, the AP reported. The new concerts are separate events organized around Macklemore’s announced fundraising aim.
Macklemore’s decision links a live music tour to humanitarian fundraising amid an ongoing dispute over musicians’ public statements about Gaza. Reuters reported that the rapper said his new shows would provide both a platform for his message and support for Palestinian people. The announced destinations span Ireland, France and Britain, while the organizers have not yet identified the other performers or specified the additional cities.
For now, the confirmed itinerary ends in London on October 30. Macklemore and the venues say more artists and dates will be announced, including a United States leg. The amount the concerts will raise cannot be known before the shows take place; the stated commitment is to direct their proceeds to the listed groups.
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