Macklemore says Climate Pledge Arena turned down ‘Free Palestine Tour’
The Seattle Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Macklemore announced his "Free Palestine Tour" in September with European dates confirmed, but major U.S. arenas, including his hometown Climate Pledge Arena, have refused to host him for the benefit shows.
- Venues such as Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and Crypto.com Arena initially provided available dates but rescinded them upon learning the shows were for Palestinian support.
- The booking issues follow Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s "Loop Tour" after his pro-Palestinian statements, which reportedly led to pressure from NFL owners to exclude him from major stadiums.
- Macklemore views the refusals as an attempt to silence artists speaking out on Palestinian issues, vowing to continue the tour by finding alternative venues or building his own stages.
- Despite setbacks in the U.S., Macklemore’s European benefit concerts sold out successfully, and he plans to donate all net earnings from his Sheeran tour opening to Palestinian humanitarian causes.
