Macklemore has announced a European tour called Free Palestine in response to being removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour due to pressure from sponsors like Robert Kraft. The tour will feature performances aimed at providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians and is scheduled to start on October 26 in Dublin, with stops in Paris and London before expanding to more cities, including the US. All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting Palestinian people through medical care, education, and advocacy work.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-24,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Macklemore, a 43-year-old American rapper known for his hit "Thrift Shop," has launched a new tour called "Free Palestine" after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour in early October due to his pro-Palestinian stance. The tour, which aims to benefit Palestinian aid organizations, kicks off with three dates in Europe: Dublin on Oct. 26 at the 3Arena, followed by Paris and London on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 respectively.
On Instagram, Macklemore emphasized that he is reaching out to artists who support Palestinians "regardless of the consequences," asserting that it's crucial for artists to use their platforms beyond mere entertainment during a time when voices calling for Palestinian liberation are being silenced by influential figures. The rapper’s decision follows threats from venue owners in the U.S. who pressured Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour lineup, citing concerns over controversial political statements.
Proceeds from all shows will go towards organizations supporting Palestinians and raising awareness about their rights. Additional artists and U.S. dates are expected to be announced later.
Written for “Macklemore Free Palestine Tour” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
US rapper Macklemore has announced a European tour named Free Palestine after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour.
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Macklemore → announce → tour
Since then, all of Sheeran’s Loop Tour supporting acts, including Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Grammy award-winning musician Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother, and Danish singer Lukas Graham, as well as his backing band Beoga, have dropped out of the remaining dates.
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who → support → dates
On Thursday, the US rapper announced that he would bring together artists and friends for a series of performances to help provide humanitarian aid and support for people in Palestine.
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he → announce → Palestine
Announcing the news on Instagram, he said: “If these last couple of weeks have shown us anything, it’s that something has shifted over the last three years.
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something → announce → years
“There has been a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation, the power of billionaires that try to censor that call, and what we expect from artists right now.
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we → try → artists
“It’s 2026.
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It → ’ → ?
Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore.
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Being → work → genocide
People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community.
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People → ask → community
To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”
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call → push → it
Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns the Gillette Stadium, was among the people who contacted Sheeran and told him they would not be able to play the venue unless the US rapper was removed from the tour.
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rapper → own → tour
Sheeran said it was the promoter’s decision to remove Macklemore from the tour and not his.
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it → say → tour
Macklemore added: “What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage.
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happened → add → artist
When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention.
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everyone → decide → attention
“I’ve spent the last week reaching out to artists who have shown up and used their stages to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, regardless of the consequences.
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who → spend → consequences
Artists who understand that our platforms mean very little if we’re only willing to use them when it’s safe.
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it → understand → them
It comes after Sheeran played his first gig since the row on Saturday, with a new backing band and his b-stage removed, where he said he had questioned whether he “wanted to be an artist at all” after the furore.
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he → come → furore
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The tour will kick off in Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26 followed by Paris Accor Arena on October 29 and wrap up at London’s Wembley Arena on October 30.
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tour → read → October
Artist announcements as well as additional cities will be made soon – including dates in the US.
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announcements → make → US
All the proceeds from the concerts will go towards a number of organisations working in support of Palestinian people including medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, community support and advocacy.
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proceeds → go → care
Those organisations include Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, Heal Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.
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organisations → include → Understanding
Tickets go on sale on Wednesday September 30 at Macklemore.com.
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Tickets → go → Macklemore.com
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