Macklemore Launches Three-City Benefit Tour Following Sheeran Split

Macklemore started his Free Palestine Tour on Monday night in Dublin. The sold-out concert at 3Arena was the first of three shows planned for the series. Organizers kept the lineup secret until the night of the event. The performance featured Hozier, Kneecap, DJ Habibeats, Lina Makoul, and M1 of Dead Prez. Boega, the backing band that left Ed Sheeran’s tour in support of Macklemore, also performed.

Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour last month. He had been sharing pro-Palestine messages during his opening sets. Messina Touring Group, the promoter for Sheeran’s U.S. dates, said venues threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. The group stated that venue concerns would impact hundreds of thousands of fans if the tour were cancelled. They confirmed Macklemore would not perform on the remaining support dates after discussions with stakeholders.

Sheeran addressed the decision onstage during his own concerts. He said he did not want to disappoint fans or become an activist musician. He described the situation as a debate over freedom of speech and a complex political issue. Sheeran emphasized that his concerts have always been a safe space for everyone. He expressed deep worry that venues pre-approve performance content. He noted that while this happens in many places, it should not occur in the free world.

Macklemore explained the tour’s purpose in an Instagram post. He said the last few weeks showed a shift in public opinion over the past three years. He cited a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation and the power of billionaires trying to censor that call. He stated that being apolitical during a genocide no longer works in 2026. He argued that people now expect artists to show up, educate themselves, and use their stages for more than entertainment.

The Dublin show included special guest speakers Liam Cunningham, Nadia Greenspan, and Samir Eskanda. Cunningham told the audience that enjoying the night does not mean forgetting the suffering in Gaza. He said the concert celebrates the humanity and life that Palestinians have fought to protect. All proceeds from the three-city tour will go to organizations supporting Palestine. These groups provide medical supplies, food, and humanitarian assistance. They also focus on education, community support, advocacy, and policy change in complicit countries.

The tour continues at Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29. It will conclude at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30. All three shows are sold out. The organizers described the beneficiaries as representing a broad range of work supporting Palestinian people. This includes healthcare workers, students, artists, and families whose futures are impacted by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.