Macklemore Calls for ‘Free Palestine’ and Speaks Out Against ICE

Key Points:

• Macklemore returned to performing live at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, using the platform to reiterate his support for Palestine and call attention to other global and domestic humanitarian issues, including Sudan, Congo, Lebanon, Haiti, and ICE-affected communities in the U.S.
• His outspoken stance on Palestinian freedom, notably during his recent opening performances on Ed Sheeran’s tour, led to his removal from the remaining tour dates after criticism from groups like the Israeli-American Council and venue refusals, including Gillette Stadium.
• Following his removal, Macklemore pledged his $1 million earnings from the Sheeran tour to aid organizations supporting Palestinians, and he has since launched his own Free Palestine Tour with proceeds benefiting related humanitarian groups.
• The controversy significantly boosted Macklemore’s streaming numbers, with a 172% increase in his solo catalog streams and a dramatic rise in plays of his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” highlighting increased public attention to his activism.
• Ed Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by promoters and venues, not himself, emphasizing his preference for diplomacy, while the fallout also caused other opening acts and Sheeran’s backing band to withdraw from tour dates.