Macklemore launches sold‑out “Free Palestine” tour in Dublin, pledges continued advocacy

The US hip-hop artist Macklemore launched his 'Free Palestine' tour on Monday evening at the 3Arena in Dublin, where approximately 13,000 attendees filled the venue. The event marked the first of three dates, with the next shows scheduled for Paris’s Accor Arena on Oct 29 and London’s OVO Arena Wembley on Oct 30. All ticket revenue was announced to be donated to organisations supporting Palestinians, a promise made when the tour was first publicised.

Macklemore, a Grammy‑winning artist, used the platform to call for unity and “shared humanity”, echoing remarks he made weeks earlier after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour for expressing pro‑Palestinian views on stage. The Dublin audience responded with a deafening ovation, many waving Palestinian flags, keffiyeh scarves and football jerseys in the colours of the Palestinian flag.

Background

The tour was organised following Macklemore’s dismissal from Sheeran’s US tour in early October, after he shouted “Free Palestine” during his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The removal sparked a public dispute, with some commentators defending the rapper’s right to free expression and others criticising the political message. In solidarity, Boega – the backing band that left Sheeran’s tour – performed with Macklemore in Dublin.

The performance in Dublin showcased a varied roster of performers, including the Irish musician Hozier, the Belfast rap group Kneecap, the Palestinian-American DJ and producer DJ Habibeats, the Palestinian artist Lina Makoul, and M1 from the group Dead Prez. Notable guests who addressed the audience comprised the Irish actor Liam Cunningham, the psychotherapist and campaigner Nadia Greenspan, and the artist and activist Samir Eskanda. The event was presented as a benefit concert, with organisers opting not to reveal the full roster in advance.

Why it matters

The tour’s launch underscores the intersection of popular music and geopolitical activism. By directing all proceeds to Palestinian aid groups, Macklemore is linking commercial success to humanitarian funding. Audience members, such as Dublin resident Siobhan Lyons, described the concert as energising and a catalyst for further involvement in the cause.

The reaction in Ireland – a country with strong public sympathy for the Palestinian cause – highlights the regional resonance of the issue. Vendors outside the arena sold keffiyehs and flag‑themed apparel, indicating a market response to the political climate. The sold‑out status of the Dublin show, with tickets snapped up within minutes, demonstrates significant public interest and suggests that future dates may also generate substantial charitable contributions.

What happens next

Following the Dublin opening, the tour will continue to Paris on Oct 29 and London on Oct 30, each venue expected to host sold‑out audiences. Organisers have not disclosed the exact charities that will receive the proceeds, but statements from the artist and his team confirm that all revenue will support groups assisting Palestinians. The tour’s progression will likely be monitored by both supporters of the Palestinian cause and critics who view the performances as politicising entertainment.

The ongoing debate over free speech in the music industry, amplified by Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour, is expected to persist as the tour moves across Europe. Observers will watch whether the concerts influence public discourse or prompt further actions by other artists and promoters regarding political expression on stage.