Macklemore opens Dublin tour after Sheeran support-act dispute
Macklemore has begun a concert tour supporting Palestinian causes with a sold-out performance in Dublin, weeks after he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour following pro-Palestinian remarks. The rapper says proceeds will go to organisations supporting Palestinians. The dispute has drawn support from fellow musicians and renewed debate over artists’ political speech.
Macklemore opened his Free Palestine tour in Dublin on Monday, performing to a sell-out crowd of up to 13,000 at the 3Arena after a dispute that ended his role as a support act on Ed Sheeran’s US tour. The American rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, announced the new series of concerts after being dropped from Sheeran’s Loop Tour on 14 September. He has said proceeds from the shows will be donated to organisations supporting Palestinians.
The controversy followed remarks Macklemore made while performing in New Jersey in early September. He told the audience that a reason he wanted to take part in the tour was to stand in stadiums and say “Free Palestine”. He also performed a song dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University, with lyrics criticising Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Jewish groups criticised Macklemore’s comments, including his description of the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza as genocide. Israel rejects that characterisation and says its military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are self-defence actions conducted in accordance with international law. Sheeran has said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by his promoter, Messina Touring Group, rather than by him personally.
Four other support acts, including Finneas, withdrew from the tour in solidarity, according to the South China Morning Post. Sheeran later described Israel’s 7 October 2023 attacks as horrific and the situation in Gaza as “unjustifiable and disproportionate”. Macklemore’s Dublin bill included Hozier, rap trio Kneecap and folk band Beoga.
The BBC reported that all three had also appeared on Sheeran’s tour. The audience included people wearing Palestinian and Irish flags, keffiyeh scarves and Palestinian-themed clothing, while traders outside sold flags, hats and other merchandise. Fans interviewed by the BBC and Agence France-Presse said Macklemore’s willingness to use his platform had strengthened their support.
The tour continues in Paris on Thursday and London on Friday, with further dates planned in the United States, according to the reports.
Vertrix News compared the attributed reports listed below and wrote this independent synthesis. Claims remain attributed where independent verification was unavailable.
Sources
- BBC News
- South China Morning Post