Macklemore launches ‘Free Palestine’ tour after being booted from Ed Sheeran’s stadium shows

Macklemore has announced a new “Free Palestine” tour after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US stadium shows earlier this month. The rapper said the concerts will raise money for humanitarian and advocacy groups supporting Palestinians across Gaza and the West Bank. The move follows backlash over his September 4 onstage remarks, after venue owners reportedly refused to host shows featuring him. Macklemore said the controversy had exposed what he described as billionaire efforts to silence artists who speak out on Palestine. Ed Sheeran later said he was “not complicit” in Macklemore’s removal, while several other support acts also withdrew from the tour. Macklemore joked that his “schedule freed up a bit” before revealing dates in Dublin, Paris and London, with North American shows to follow.