Macklemore Launches Free Palestine Tour in Dublin

Macklemore started his Free Palestine concert series in Dublin on Monday.

The Grammy-winning performer launched the tour following his removal from Ed Sheeran's bill. The split occurred after Macklemore used the phrase Free Palestine during a show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He also criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank during that set. Six weeks prior to the Dublin show, Macklemore stated that the two words were enough to trigger his removal.

He told the audience at the 3Arena that he was proud to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. He pledged to fight for collective liberation until his last breath. He argued that the words are controversial enough that some prefer silence over facing their meaning. He noted that the phrase has become more debated than the suffering that necessitated it.

The 13,000 tickets for the Dublin performance sold out within minutes. The audience wore Palestinian flags, keffiyeh scarves, and jerseys in black, red, and green. Vendors sold these items outside the venue. Macklemore waved a Palestinian flag for most of his performance.

Siobhan Lyons, who attended with her daughter, said she needed a speaker for the current time. She described the event as feeling alive and said she wanted to be part of something. The crowd chanted Free Free Palestine throughout the night.

Several Irish artists performed in support. Hozier, the rap group Kneecap, and Beoga took the stage. Beoga is one of the acts that left Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Palestinian singer Lina Makhoul and DJ Habibeats also played. Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham spoke between sets.

Ed Sheeran said stadium owners threatened to block further shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. Palestinian authorities report more than 74,000 deaths in Israel's assault on Gaza. The offensive began after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials deny their actions constitute genocide. Macklemore plans to visit Paris and London this week, with US dates to be announced later.