Rapper Macklemore announced a three-city European “Free Palestine” benefit tour scheduled for October 2026, featuring proceeds directed to twelve humanitarian organizations, following his abrupt removal from Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour over onstage remarks regarding Gaza and the West Bank.
Dublin, Paris, and London Dates Set for October Benefit Tour
Following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s stadium lineup earlier in the month, rapper Macklemore has organized a three-city European run titled the Free Palestine Tour. The announcement arrives via social media, confirming performances set for October 26 at Dublin’s 3Arena, October 29 at the Accor Arena in Paris, and October 30 at the OVO Arena Wembley in London. Presale tickets for the European dates are scheduled to begin on Monday, September 28, followed by general ticket sales on Wednesday, September 30.
The newly formed tour brings together artists and friends for performances centered on Palestinian advocacy, raising funds for humanitarian aid and support to the movement. In his announcement, the rapper observed that public consciousness around the issue has shifted noticeably over recent years. It’s 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore, he wrote in a statement published online.
Proceeds Directed to Twelve Aid Organizations
All proceeds from the upcoming European concerts will be distributed among twelve organizations providing medical care, humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and education for Palestinians.
The lineup of benefiting groups represents the array of work supporting the population, from community support and media work to direct assistance on the ground. Additional artists and subsequent U.S. tour dates remain in development as logistics are finalized.
Tour Removal Follows Onstage Remarks and Venue Pressure
The independent tour stems from a high-profile dispute that erupted after Macklemore appeared as a support act during the U.S. stadium leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. During performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, he spoke out about the conflict, told the audience that people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank had not been forgotten, and performed his 2024 protest track Hind’s Hall.
Those remarks drew swift blowback, including a petition from the Israeli American Council. Messina Touring Group, which promotes the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour, subsequently stated that venue operators across the itinerary notified organizers they would refuse to host concerts featuring Macklemore on the bill. Faced with potential tour cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans, the promoter dropped the rapper from remaining support dates.
The fallout extended across the tour’s roster. Four supporting acts—including the Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish songwriter Aaron Rowe, backing group Beoga, and Grammy-winning producer Finneas—abruptly withdrew from their remaining appearances in solidarity with Macklemore. Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation.
Sheeran Addresses Backlash as Protests Surface Outside Stadiums
As the controversy played out, Ed Sheeran addressed audiences directly when the Loop Tour resumed in Philadelphia on September 19. Speaking from a teleprompter during an emotional onstage appearance, he told fans he felt abandoned by friends and family while handling widespread criticism over the decision.
I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose to not speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.
Ed Sheeran Speaks Out About Macklemore Tour Firing and ‘Free Palestine’ Drama
Ed Sheeran, via Nation
Sheeran maintained that the decision to remove Macklemore belonged to the promoter rather than himself, while expressing unease over venue owners attempting to dictate what artists can say from the stage. Outside the venue at Lincoln Financial Field, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered to protest the rapper’s removal, chanting slogans and voicing opposition as concertgoers arrived.
Macklemore had previously announced an intention to donate the entire $1 million in net earnings from his initial appearance on the Sheeran tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians, though questions remained regarding how that payment was structured following his early departure. With his schedule cleared by the tour exit, the rapper is now pivoting directly to the independent benefit run.
