Macklemore announces 'Free Palestine' tour after Ed Sheeran removal

Macklemore announced a Free Palestine tour on Thursday, September 24, 2026, after being removed as an opening act on Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour. Dates are listed for Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29 and London on October 30, with proceeds going to organizations supporting Palestinians. He pledged about $1 million from his Sheeran-tour earnings to Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children's Relief Fund and UNRWA USA. The removal followed pro-Palestinian remarks and a Free Palestine call at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early September. Macklemore said Robert Kraft personally called Sheeran to bar him from Gillette Stadium. Kraft cited a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Sheeran said promoters, not him, made the removal decision, citing venue cancellation threats. At his Philadelphia show he apologized, saying he had made hard decisions and mistakes, was so sorry and did not want to let fans down. He said what happened in Israel and at the music festival on October 7 was horrific and amplified centuries of Jewish pain, and that what is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustified and disproportionate. Other openers Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga withdrew. Protesters gathered outside Sheeran's first concert without Macklemore. Macklemore said his schedule opened up a little bit and that what happened to him is bigger than one artist or one stage: when the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage, everyone should be paying attention. He said scheduling and details are still being worked out, with more artists and U.S. dates to come.