Macklemore opens 'Free Palestine' tour in Dublin weeks after removal from Ed Sheeran tour

US rapper Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, has begun his Free Palestine tour with a sold-out show at the 3Arena in Dublin. BBC News put the crowd at up to 13,000. Euronews put it at 13,000. Both outlets describe the show as having just taken place.

Macklemore had promised "many incredible surprise guests". Hozier, Kneecap and the folk band Beoga performed. Beoga had also performed on Sheeran's tour. According to Euronews, Palestinian singer Lina Makhoul and Palestinian American DJ Habibeats also performed, actor Mark Ruffalo appeared via video, and Macklemore waved a Palestinian flag for much of his set.

Euronews quoted Macklemore as saying on stage: "I am proud to stand here on stage in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We will continue to fight for collective liberation until our last breath."

He is scheduled to perform in Paris on Thursday and in London on Friday. According to Euronews, the dates are 29 October at the Accor Arena and 30 October at the OVO Arena Wembley.

Removal from Sheeran's tour

Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour last month after making pro-Palestinian comments on stage. According to BBC News, the controversy began at a concert in New Jersey in early September, where he said "Free Palestine" as Sheeran's opening act. BBC News reported that he said "free Palestine" at two concerts and made political speeches, including referring to the death toll from Israel's military action in Gaza as a genocide. He announced the new tour days later.

According to BBC News, he was removed on 14 September. BBC News also reported that Jewish groups criticised him. The reports do not name those groups. BBC News reported that all of the tour's support acts dropped out in solidarity with Macklemore after early remarks by Sheeran.

Macklemore says proceeds will go to organisations supporting Palestinians. Euronews lists 12 beneficiaries, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, Jewish Voice for Peace and UNRWA USA. The reports do not say how much money has been raised.

What is disputed

Accounts differ on who decided to remove him. According to BBC News, Macklemore says stadium owners pushed him off the tour. Sheeran says concert promoter Messina Touring Group made the decision. The reports do not include a response from Messina Touring Group.

Israel rejects the description of its military action in Gaza as genocide. According to Euronews, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations say Israel's actions constitute genocide.

What each side says

• Macklemore says he will keep speaking out and stands in solidarity with Palestinians, according to Euronews.
• Ed Sheeran says he made mistakes in handling the fallout, according to BBC News. He called the conflict "a humanitarian issue" and the situation in Gaza "unjustifiable and disproportionate".
• Robert Kraft, a billionaire stadium owner, says Macklemore engaged in hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric, according to BBC News.
• Israel calls genocide accusations "defamatory" and "distorted". It says its troops act in self-defence in accordance with international law.

Background

Israel's campaign in Gaza followed a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Gaza's health ministry reports more than 70,000 deaths, according to BBC News. Euronews gives the figure as more than 73,000. The UN considers the ministry's figures reliable.

Analysis

The Dublin show shows that Macklemore's removal from a major stadium tour has not prevented him from filling a large arena elsewhere. The episode also highlights open questions about who decides what performers may say on stage: the artist, the headliner, promoters or venue owners. The reports leave key points unanswered, including the promoter's account and the scale of funds raised. The Paris and London dates may draw further attention, but it is unclear whether they will prompt new responses from critics, venues or Sheeran's camp. Views on the underlying conflict remain sharply divided, and the reports reflect those competing positions.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.