Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour in wake of Ed Sheeran controversy

Key Points:

• Macklemore is launching a “Free Palestine Tour” with concerts in Dublin, Paris, and London, donating all proceeds to organizations supporting Palestinians; tour dates are October 26, 29, and 30, with supporting artists to be announced later.
• The tour follows Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour after his pro-Palestine comments, which reportedly led to intervention by Robert Kraft, CEO of Kraft Group and Gillette Stadium owner.
• Macklemore criticized billionaire influence in censoring artists and emphasized a growing collective awareness around Palestinian liberation, while Sheeran distanced himself from the controversy, attributing the decision to remove Macklemore to the promoter.
• Ticket demand for Macklemore’s solo show at Colorado’s Red Rocks amphitheater surged after the controversy, with resale prices significantly higher than those for Sheeran’s shows, which faced protests and some opening acts withdrawing.
• Prior to the tour announcement, Macklemore pledged to donate $1 million from his Sheeran tour earnings to Palestinian support groups and invited Kraft to match the donation, with Kraft acknowledging discussions about joint philanthropic efforts.