Macklemore is turning a recent touring controversy into a new series of shows of his own. The Seattle rapper has announced the “Free Palestine Tour,” a run of concerts designed to raise money for organizations providing humanitarian aid and advocacy related to Palestinians.
The announcement came shortly after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks he made during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During those shows, Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
The newly announced tour will initially include stops in Dublin, Paris and London in late October, with additional U.S. dates expected to be announced later. Macklemore also said more participating artists will be revealed as plans are finalized. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale at the end of September.
In announcing the shows, Macklemore joked that his schedule had recently “freed up,” an apparent reference to his removal from Sheeran’s tour. He said he had spent the previous week contacting other artists who had publicly supported Palestinians and were willing to use their platforms to speak about the conflict.
Macklemore has argued that artists should not remain politically neutral in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In his tour announcement, he described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and framed his removal from the Sheeran tour as part of a larger debate over whether wealthy venue owners and promoters can restrict political expression by performers. That characterization reflects Macklemore’s position; the Israel-Gaza war and the legal characterization of Israel’s conduct remain subjects of international political and legal dispute.
The controversy began after venues and promoter Messina Touring Group objected to Macklemore continuing as an opening act on Sheeran’s tour. HotNewHipHop reported that several venues warned they would not host shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company operates Gillette Stadium, later confirmed that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at the venue. Kraft said he objected to rhetoric and imagery associated with Macklemore’s performance that he considered offensive. Macklemore, meanwhile, accused Kraft of using his influence to pressure other venues, a broader allegation Kraft did not publicly confirm.
Sheeran later said the decision to remove Macklemore ultimately came from tour promoters and venue operators rather than from him personally. The situation grew larger when several other supporting artists reportedly withdrew from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Following his removal, Macklemore pledged $1 million to Palestinian humanitarian organizations. The donation was directed toward groups working on medical care, food assistance and emergency relief for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Free Palestine Tour will continue that fundraising effort. Macklemore said proceeds from the shows will benefit a group of organizations that includes Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Middle East Children’s Alliance, UNRWA USA, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Palestinian Youth Movement and several others.
The tour follows several years of increasingly outspoken advocacy from Macklemore surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. In 2024, he released “Hind’s Hall,” a protest song supporting pro-Palestinian student demonstrations and calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
His advocacy has also generated criticism. Some pro-Israel organizations and commentators have accused the rapper of using rhetoric they consider antisemitic or inflammatory, while Macklemore has maintained that his criticism is directed toward Israeli government policy and the treatment of Palestinians. The disagreement has become part of a wider debate over how musicians and other public figures address the war.
The Free Palestine Tour now gives Macklemore a platform specifically built around that advocacy rather than incorporating it into another artist’s concert.
Beyond the initial European dates, details about the U.S. portion of the tour, participating performers and additional venues have not yet been announced.
For Macklemore, the new tour represents both a response to being removed from the Loop Tour and an expansion of his political activism. Rather than stepping away from the controversy, he is using the moment to organize his own concerts, raise money for Palestinian-focused organizations and continue publicly advocating for Palestinian rights.