American rapper Macklemore has announced a new “Free Palestine” tour, days after he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks he made during a performance earlier this month.
The new tour will begin in Dublin on October 26, followed by performances in Paris on October 29 and London on October 30, with proceeds going to organizations providing humanitarian support to Palestinians. Additional dates, including shows in the United States, are expected to be announced.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, announced the tour saying, “my schedule freed up a bit” following his removal from Sheeran’s tour.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, the rapper said the events of the past few weeks had highlighted what he described as a “collective awakening” around Palestinian liberation, the influence of wealthy individuals and the expectations placed on artists.
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage,” he said, adding that he had spent the previous week contacting artists who had used their platforms to express solidarity with Palestinians despite potential consequences.
Macklemore said several details of the new tour were still being finalized because it had come together quickly. “But this is a moment of momentum, and there is work to be done,” he said.
The first three announced dates are October 26 at Dublin’s 3Arena, October 29 at Paris’ Accor Arena and October 30 at OVO Arena Wembley in London.
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Organizers say the concerts will feature Macklemore alongside other artists and friends, although the supporting acts have yet to be announced.
Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour on September 14 after performing at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and expressing support for Palestinians.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said the decision followed refusals by venues to host Macklemore as part of the tour.
During the performance, Macklemore declared his support for a “Free Palestine” and performed Hind’s Hall, a song inspired by pro-Palestinian student protests at Columbia University.
The fallout prompted Sheeran’s other support acts and his touring band to withdraw from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Sheeran later said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter rather than by him.
Sheeran subsequently addressed the controversy during a concert in Philadelphia, describing the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian issue.
He also condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable.”
Macklemore’s new tour will initially cover the three European cities, while further dates and US performances are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
BBC
