MSG calls Macklemore not arena-level act after rejecting Free Palestine Tour

Madison Square Garden cites limited availability after Macklemore claims venues rejected his Palestine benefit shows

Madison Square Garden (MSG) has responded to Macklemore's claims that several major US venues refused to host his Free Palestine Tour, saying the decision was based on limited availability and the rapper not being an arena-level act.

In a statement, an MSG spokesperson said, "We have some of the busiest venues in the world with extremely limited availability and he's not an arena level act."

The response followed Macklemore's public criticism of venues that he said had turned down his proposed benefit concerts for Palestine.

The list included Madison Square Garden, Prudential Center, Barclays Center, UBS Arena, Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Crypto.com Arena, Chase Center and Climate Pledge Arena.

Macklemore claimed that available dates had initially been offered before the venues learned the purpose of the shows.

"By mid-September, we received available dates at these arenas through the end of the year. But once they found out these were my benefit shows for Palestine, those dates were suddenly off the table," he said.

He also criticised what he described as restrictions on freedom of speech, saying, "I'd rather lose every opportunity in this industry than spend another day protecting people who value their business relationships with Israel more than they value Palestinian human life."

The rapper announced the Free Palestine Tour in September, describing it as an initiative "supporting the Palestinian people and movement".

The announcement came after Ed Sheeran removed Macklemore from his tour following controversy over the latter's onstage remarks in support of Palestine.

Sheeran later said the decision was made by the promoter. The controversy followed Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft reportedly bringing several venues together to give Sheeran an ultimatum.

Despite MSG's explanation, Macklemore's claims have raised questions about the availability of major US venues for benefit concerts supporting Palestine.

The rapper has maintained that the proposed shows were rejected after their purpose became known.