US rapper Macklemore has announced a new Free Palestine Tour, turning his recent exit from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour into a series of benefit concerts whose proceeds will support organisations working with Palestinians.
The Grammy-winning rapper announced the shows on September 24, 2026, revealing three initial European dates in Dublin, Paris and London. Organisers said the concerts will bring Macklemore together with other artists and friends, with additional performers expected to be announced later.
The tour will open at 3Arena in Dublin on October 26, before moving to Accor Arena in Paris on October 29 and OVO Arena Wembley in London on October 30. US dates have not yet been announced.
All proceeds from the concerts will benefit organisations supporting Palestinians through humanitarian assistance, medical care, education, community support, advocacy and other forms of aid.
Macklemore has yet to reveal the other musicians who will join him. In his announcement, he said he had spent the previous week contacting artists who had publicly used their platforms to support Palestinians.
“Because of how quickly all of this has come together, a lot of the conversations, schedules and details are still being worked out,” Macklemore said.
He added that artist announcements and US dates would follow.
The London venue has billed the event as “Macklemore & Friends: Free Palestine Tour”, describing it as a series of performances centred on Palestine and Palestinians while helping provide humanitarian aid and support.
The tour follows Macklemore’s removal from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour after his public comments in support of Palestinians.
Macklemore performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier in September while wearing a keffiyeh and used his set to call for a free Palestine. He also addressed the situation facing Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
The controversy intensified after venues hosting Sheeran’s remaining shows raised concerns about Macklemore appearing at the concerts. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, subsequently removed him from the remaining dates. Sheeran later said the decision was made by the promoter and venues rather than by him.
Macklemore responded by continuing to speak publicly about the issue and later announced that he would donate $1 million from his net earnings from the Sheeran tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.
Several artists connected to Sheeran’s tour also subsequently withdrew. Irish musician Aaron Rowe, Danish singer Lukas Graham, Finneas and Irish band Beoga pulled out of upcoming shows following the dispute. Their departures, however, do not mean they have joined Macklemore’s new tour.
Macklemore has instead said he is working to assemble a group of artists who are willing to perform alongside him for the benefit shows.
In announcing the new tour, the rapper said the events would be about using music and live performances to raise support for Palestinians.
“Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore,” Macklemore said, adding that artists were being asked to “use the stage for more than entertainment.”
The beneficiaries named by the organisers 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 cover areas ranging from medical and humanitarian assistance to education, advocacy, community support and media work.
“So we’re going on tour,” he said at the end of his announcement.
