Macklemore is turning the latest controversy surrounding his career into a new series of concerts. The American rapper has announced a tour titled “Free Palestine,” with the first European performances scheduled for Dublin, Paris and London in October 2026. Proceeds from the shows are set to support organisations providing humanitarian assistance and other forms of support connected to Palestinians.
The announcement comes shortly after Macklemore was removed from the U.S. leg of Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour. The decision followed comments Macklemore made during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he publicly expressed support for Palestine.
Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at several of Sheeran’s remaining American shows. According to the tour promoter, venue owners informed organizers that they would not allow concerts featuring Macklemore to take place at their locations, leading to his removal from the remaining dates.
Now, instead of stepping away from the stage, the rapper is preparing to headline his own shows. The first concert will take place in Dublin on October 26, followed by a performance in Paris on October 29 and another in London on October 30. Additional European cities and dates are expected to be announced, with a North American leg also planned.
Macklemore has said the concerts will bring him together with fellow musicians and friends, with the performances centered on Palestine and Palestinians. The organisations expected to benefit include groups involved in medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, community support and advocacy.
The rapper addressed the decision to create the tour in a statement accompanying the announcement. He argued that artists are increasingly being asked to use their platforms for more than entertainment and to speak publicly about issues they consider important.
The new tour follows several years of Macklemore publicly expressing support for Palestinians. In 2024, he released “Hind’s Hall,” a protest song connected to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. His political statements have also generated criticism, with the recent dispute over his place on Sheeran’s tour becoming a major part of the conversation surrounding his performances.
The controversy has also affected Sheeran’s tour. After Macklemore’s removal, several other support acts withdrew from the remaining shows, including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Beoga. Sheeran later addressed the situation publicly during his return to the stage in Philadelphia.
For Macklemore, the new project means returning to live performance on his own terms. The exact lineup of artists joining him has not yet been finalized, as many of the performances were organized quickly following the changes to his touring schedule.
The first dates are already set, while more shows are expected to follow. The rapper’s new concert series will therefore continue the debate that began with his comments on stage — this time with Macklemore himself at the center of a tour built specifically around the cause he has chosen to publicly support.
