Free Palestine Tour: Macklemore’s next move after the Ed Sheeran discourse
Macklemore’s new tour doesn’t tiptoe around his politics—it centers Palestine onstage.
Announcing it on Instagram, Macklemore is spinning the week’s drama into a new run he’s calling the Free Palestine Tour, billed as “Macklemore and Friends.” He says 100% of ticket sales and tour proceeds will go to a dozen humanitarian, medical and advocacy groups supporting Palestinians. The first shows are set for Europe, with more cities and U.S. dates to be revealed.
The move follows a fast-escalating fallout around Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour: after venues objected to Macklemore’s spot on the bill over his pro-Palestinian remarks, he was removed from the remaining U.S. dates. In the days after, several acts pulled out of Sheeran’s tour in solidarity.
- Finneas — withdrew from the remaining U.S. dates
- Lukas Graham — withdrew
- Aaron Rowe — withdrew
- Beoga — withdrew
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention.”
Macklemore added that he’s been reaching out to performers who’ve publicly supported Palestine to join him on the road; guests will be announced closer to the shows. The tour will operate under the “Macklemore and Friends” banner.
First stops
- October 26 — Dublin
- Paris — date TBA
- London — date TBA
He also said additional U.S. dates are in the works.
Who’s backing him
Musicians and public figures have rallied around Macklemore since the Sheeran shake-up, amplifying his posts and, in some cases, matching his relief donations.
- Garbage — called his removal “sheer madness” and “wildly unjust.”
- Kneecap — shared photos with Macklemore and a message of support.
- Zara Larsson — publicly amplified his stance.
- CMAT — publicly amplified his stance.
- Bob Vylan — publicly amplified his stance.
- Paloma Faith — publicly amplified his stance.
- Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) — reshared anti-censorship messages.
- Ms. Rachel — pledged $1 million to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund after Macklemore announced his own $1 million donation to Gaza relief organizations.
Specific venues, guest lineups and the full slate of European and U.S. dates will be announced on Macklemore’s channels.