Macklemore has shared that all three concerts of his recently announced tour aimed at supporting Palestinians were quickly sold out.
The announcement of the October shows in Dublin, Paris, and London as part of the Free Palestine tour took place just a week ago. While the artist has not disclosed the lineup yet, the initial post on the tour hinted at the presence of the rapper “and friends.” Macklemore assured fans that details on the performers will be revealed soon.
The decision to embark on the three-show European tour came after Macklemore was removed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour. Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, Macklemore emphasized the importance of musicians standing in solidarity with Palestine and using their platform to raise funds for meaningful causes.
When contacted about potential shows in Canada, Macklemore’s representatives did not provide any information. The concerts, organized by Live Nation, will benefit various Palestinian aid groups, such as Gaza Soup Kitchen, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and UNRWA USA.
The backstory to Macklemore’s tour dates back to his removal from Sheeran’s tour following threats from venue owners in the U.S. Sheeran later addressed the situation, mentioning one of the individuals pressuring him to cancel shows was Robert Kraft, chairman of The Kraft Group. Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian stance has been evident over the years, with previous instances of similar comments during performances.
Following Sheeran’s statement, all other openers, including his backing band, withdrew from the tour. At a show in Philadelphia, Sheeran clarified that he did not intend to be an activist musician. The planned shows at Gillette Stadium had to be canceled due to adverse weather conditions.