Macklemore played a sold out opening night at Dublin’s 3Arena, with Paris and London to follow this week, after his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Tamrah News Desk | October 27, 2026
The Macklemore Free Palestine tour opened at Dublin’s 3Arena on Monday, October 26, more than a month after the rapper was removed from the Ed Sheeran Loop Tour over remarks about Gaza. Billboard reported that the show sold out and included guest appearances from Hozier and Kneecap. The three city run is a benefit series that directs its proceeds to Palestinian aid groups.
How the Ed Sheeran Loop Tour Split Began
Macklemore was a support act at two Ed Sheeran concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he said “Free Palestine” on stage, according to Variety. Jang reported that he also performed his 2024 protest song Hind’s Hall. On September 14, Macklemore said he had been dropped from the remaining dates, ABC News reported. The promoter said venues had notified it of concerns and that he would not play the remaining support dates, according to the same report. Reuters, as carried by ARY News, reported that Sheeran said the decision came from tour organisers and not from him.
Robert Kraft and the Venue Dispute
Macklemore alleged that Ed Sheeran told him Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, rallied other venue owners, ABC News reported. In a statement reported by The Jerusalem Post, Kraft said his stadium would not provide a platform for hate speech and pointed to what the statement described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. WJLA reported that Kraft also said he was not trying to stifle Palestinian advocacy. The Boston Globe reported that some groups supporting Israel had earlier urged Sheeran to drop the rapper.
Reaction and Protests Around the Dispute
The Jerusalem Post reported that Macklemore’s remarks at MetLife upset some Jewish groups and groups supporting Israel, after he accused Israel of genocide and showed images from Gaza. Novara Media reported that Macklemore told Jewish fans that criticism of Israel was not criticism of them. The Fader reported that a protest took place outside Sheeran’s first Philadelphia show after the dispute. The Boston Globe reported that Robert Kraft has committed more than $100 million since 2019 to counter what he regards as hate speech.
Support Acts Quit and Sheeran Apologises
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga withdrew from the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore, ABC News reported. Khaleej Times reported that Sheeran told his audience,
“I’m so, so sorry,”
while addressing the controversy. Sky News, as carried by Heart, reported that Macklemore spent a week contacting artists to build the lineup. Neither Sheeran nor Kraft had commented on the new tour when it was announced, ABC News reported.
Palestinian Aid Pledges From Macklemore and Robert Kraft
Macklemore pledged $1 million of his net earnings from the Loop Tour to six Palestinian aid organizations, according to Gray News. He invited Kraft to match the donation, Novara Media reported. Robert Kraft said in a statement that Sheeran
“asked me to commit $2 million”
to match his own donation, according to eJewishPhilanthropy. The Hill, as carried by KTAL, reported that Sheeran had not confirmed his donation.
Macklemore Tour Dates and Dublin Opening Night
Macklemore announced the tour on September 24, Reuters reported, and said it was meant to push back against
“attempts to silence it.”
The Macklemore tour dates are Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29 at Accor Arena and London on October 30 at OVO Arena Wembley, according to Variety. The Irish Times reported that Free Palestine tour tickets for all three shows sold out immediately. At the Macklemore Dublin concert, Rolling Stone reported guest appearances from Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga, the band that left Sheeran’s tour in solidarity. Billboard reported that Dublin followed a 17 song set at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on October 22, where he again called for a free Palestine and spoke about Sudan, Congo, Lebanon and Haiti. Billboard also reported that Live Nation named Anera, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Jewish Voice for Peace and UNRWA USA among the Palestinian aid beneficiaries, while the Accor Arena listing names 12 organisations in total.
Will the Macklemore Free Palestine Tour Add US Dates?
Macklemore said further cities, including dates in the United States, would be announced, the Irish Times reported on October 1. No United States dates for the Palestinian aid series had been confirmed as of Tuesday in the coverage reviewed by Tamrah News. TicketNews reported that listings for the shows use the name Macklemore and Friends. Paris follows on Thursday and London on Friday.
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Conclusion
The Macklemore Free Palestine tour has turned a dispute on the Ed Sheeran Loop Tour into a benefit series for Palestinian aid. Readers searching for Macklemore tour dates, Macklemore Dublin concert coverage, Robert Kraft Macklemore updates or Free Palestine tour tickets can follow Tamrah News for confirmed reports.
