Macklemore's Free Palestine Tour Draws Sold-Out Crowds in Dublin, Paris, and London

Macklemore began his Free Palestine Tour on Monday night with a sold-out performance at Dublin's 3Arena. The event marked the first of three concerts in a series that will continue in Paris and London this week.

The Dublin show served as a benefit concert, with all proceeds directed to organizations supporting the Palestinian movement. Organizers withheld the lineup until the night of the event. The bill included Hozier, the Irish band Kneecap, Palestinian-American DJ Habibeats, singer-songwriter Lina Makoul, and rapper M1 of Dead Prez.

Boega, the backing band that withdrew from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore, also performed. The group had dropped out of the U.S. tour last month after Macklemore was removed from the supporting act roster.

Macklemore was let go from Sheeran's tour after he shared pro-Palestine messages during his opening sets. Messina Touring Group, the promoter for the Loop Tour, stated that venues threatened to pull out if Macklemore remained on the bill. The group said the decision would otherwise have led to the cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.

Messina Touring Group released a statement at the time noting that venues notified them they would not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup. The promoter added that after discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore would not perform on the remaining support dates.

Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy directly on stage during his solo performances. He said he did not want to disappoint fans and had never aimed to be an activist musician. The singer noted that the situation placed him in the middle of a passionate argument regarding freedom of speech.

Sheeran described his concerts as a safe space for everyone. He stated that honoring his commitment to fans is essential to his identity, which is why he continued the current tour on his own. The singer expressed concern that venues pre-approve content for performance, calling the practice unusual for the free world.

On Monday night in Dublin, special guest speakers included Irish actor Liam Cunningham, activist and psychotherapist Nadia Greenspan, and artist Samir Eskanda. Cunningham spoke to the audience about the balance between enjoyment and remembrance.

Cunningham told the crowd, "Enjoying tonight does not mean forgetting about the suffering in Gaza. It means celebrating the humanity and life that Palestinians have fought so hard to protect." The statement was shared in published reports of the event.

A press release for the tour described the beneficiary organizations as representing a broad range of work. These groups provide essential medical supplies, food, and humanitarian assistance. They also focus on education, community support, advocacy, and policy change in countries perceived as complicit in the conflict.

The release noted that the concert series centers on Palestinian families, children, healthcare workers, students, artists, and communities. It stated that their lives and futures continue to be impacted by the ongoing situation in Gaza.

Macklemore announced the tour on Instagram, reflecting on the shift in public sentiment over the last three years. He wrote that there has been a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation and the power of billionaires attempting to censor that call. The rapper said being apolitical during a genocide no longer works in 2026. He added that people are asking artists to show up, educate themselves, and use the stage for more than entertainment.