Macklemore announces 'Free Palestine' tour with proceeds going to charity

Macklemore has announced a new Free Palestine tour, with all ticket proceeds set to be donated to organisations supporting Palestinians.

The rapper announced the new run of shows on September 24, just days after being removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following his onstage statements in support of Palestine.

The Free Palestine tour will currently include three European dates, beginning in Dublin on October 26. Macklemore will then perform in Paris on October 29 before concluding the announced European leg at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30. Further US dates are expected to be announced at a later date.

 

 

 

 

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Macklemore said he had spent the past week contacting artists who had publicly supported Palestinians and were willing to use their platforms despite potential consequences. He added that additional artists would be announced for the tour.

The announcement comes after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s US stadium tour earlier this month. The rapper had used his performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to speak about the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including leading the crowd in saying “Free Palestine”. He also performed his protest song Hind’s Hall, accompanied by images related to the destruction in Gaza.

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group subsequently announced that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining dates after venues indicated that they would not allow concerts featuring him to take place. The promoter said keeping him on the line-up could have resulted in the cancellation of the remaining shows.

Macklemore has continued to speak publicly about the decision. He previously announced that he would donate the $1 million in net earnings he received from his work on Sheeran’s tour to organisations supporting Palestinians. He also invited New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match the donation.

For the new tour, Macklemore has selected 12 organisations to receive proceeds from the shows. They 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, the Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.

The organisations work across areas including medical assistance, humanitarian aid, education, community support, advocacy and Palestinian-related media and organising.

In announcing the tour, Macklemore said the events of the past few weeks had reinforced his view that artists were increasingly being asked to use their platforms for issues beyond entertainment. He also said the controversy surrounding his removal from Sheeran’s tour was part of a wider discussion about who gets to speak on major concert stages.

Tickets for the newly announced shows will go on general sale on September 30, with presale access beginning earlier. Macklemore has also indicated that more dates and performers will be announced.

The Free Palestine tour represents Macklemore’s first announced run of shows since his departure from Sheeran’s tour and comes as the controversy surrounding his political statements continues to draw attention across the music industry.