# Macklemore Launches Sold-Out 'Free Palestine' Tour After Ed Sheeran Removal

> Rapper Macklemore started his 'Free Palestine' tour in October 2026 after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour, with initial European dates selling out immediately.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-23T23:38:45.128810Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/macklemore-launches-sold-out-free-palestine-tour-after-ed-sheeran-removal-7776f208

Rapper Macklemore launched his 'Free Palestine' tour in October 2026, following his removal from Ed Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour due to his vocal pro-Palestinian stance [1][2][4]. The initial European dates for the tour sold out immediately, with all proceeds dedicated to organizations supporting Palestinians [1][5][24].

This development illustrates the direct professional repercussions artists can face for political activism, while also demonstrating a significant public response and a new avenue for fundraising for international causes through celebrity platforms.

## What the records show
Macklemore was formally dropped from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour on September 14, 2026 [8][9][10]. This decision followed his performance on September 4, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, where he made pro-Palestinian comments and performed his song "Hind's Hall" [16][17]. During a second performance at MetLife on September 5, 2026, Macklemore clarified his position, stating that "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you" [19][20].

On September 16, 2026, Macklemore announced he would donate $1 million of his net earnings from the Ed Sheeran tour to six nonprofit organizations aiding Palestinians, publicly inviting New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his donation [7][4]. Days later, on September 24, 2026, Macklemore unveiled his own "Free Palestine" tour [1][2]. The tour's initial European stops include Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29, and London on October 30 [5][6]. Macklemore announced on September 30, 2026, that these three shows had "sold out immediately" [24].

All proceeds from these concerts are designated to benefit 12 organizations supporting Palestinians, including Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, HEAL Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children's Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and UNRWA USA [1][3][13]. On October 19, 2026, Jewish organizations voiced "backlash and scrutiny" regarding the tour's beneficiaries, specifically naming the Palestinian Youth Movement [11].

## Timeline
September 4, 2026: Macklemore makes pro-Palestinian comments and performs "Hind's Hall" during his opening set for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium [16][17][19].
September 5, 2026: At a second MetLife performance, Macklemore clarifies his criticism of Israel is not directed at Jewish people [19][20].
September 14, 2026: Macklemore is officially removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour [8][9][10].
September 16, 2026: Macklemore pledges $1 million of his Ed Sheeran tour net earnings to six Palestinian non-profits and challenges Robert Kraft to match it [7][4].
September 24, 2026: Macklemore announces his "Free Palestine" tour with initial European dates [1][2].
September 30, 2026: Macklemore announces the initial European shows for his "Free Palestine" tour are "sold out immediately" [24].
October 19, 2026: Jewish organizations express "backlash and scrutiny" over the tour's beneficiaries, specifically the Palestinian Youth Movement [11].
October 26, 2026: The "Free Palestine" tour is scheduled to begin in Dublin, Ireland [1][5][6].

## What the subject has said publicly
Macklemore stated in an Instagram post announcing his tour, "It's 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn't work anymore" [1][2]. He emphasized the importance of artists using their platforms, regardless of potential consequences, and described his removal from the Ed Sheeran tour as "bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention" [1][12]. Macklemore also indicated the initial European shows were assembled quickly "in community, believing that musicians can stand in solidarity with Palestine, use the stage to raise funds and show what collective action can look like" [24]. He previously stated that he wanted to come on the Ed Sheeran tour to "stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: free Palestine" [21][22].

## What we could not confirm
The full extent of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's alleged influence on Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour [4][12][15].
Whether Robert Kraft has responded to Macklemore's public invitation to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian aid organizations [7].
The specific nature of the concerns and detailed allegations raised by Jewish organizations regarding the Palestinian Youth Movement [11].

## Evidence cited
1. Macklemore Announces “Free Palestine Tour” (consequence.net) — https://consequence.net/
2. Instagram (instagram.com) — https://www.instagram.com/
3. MACKLEMORE & FRIENDS : FREE PALESTINE TOUR - Accor Arena (accorarena.com) — https://www.accorarena.com/
4. Macklemore announces ‘Free Palestine’ tour (bozemandailychronicle.com) — https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/
5. Macklemore announces 'Free Palestine' tour after Ed Sheeran removal (tribune.com.pk) — https://tribune.com.pk/
6. Macklemore announces 'Free Palestine' tour after being removed from Ed Sheeran tour (thv11.com) — https://www.thv11.com/
7. Macklemore pledges $1M to Palestinian aid after being kicked off Ed Sheeran's tour | fox43.com (fox43.com) — https://www.fox43.com/
8. Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour over ‘free Palestine’ speech (theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/
9. Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Following “Free Palestine” Speech (pastemagazine.com) — https://www.pastemagazine.com/
10. Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's US tour after 'Free Palestine' remarks | 99.9 Radio USA (radiousa.com) — https://radiousa.com/
11. Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' tour scrutinized over beneficiary's comments on Hamas | 10/19/26 (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_fV17yqB_Y
12. Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour after Ed Sheeran row (hamhigh.co.uk) — https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/
13. Macklemore announces 'Free Palestine' tour after Ed Sheeran axing (thejc.com) — https://www.thejc.com/
14. Macklemore to go on a 'Free Palestine Tour' after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9U041YQh2w
15. Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour after Ed Sheeran row (radionewshub.com) — https://radionewshub.com/
16. Macklemore performs anti-Israel 'Hind's Hall' song, calls for 'Free Palestine' at Ed Sheeran concert (timesofisrael.com) — https://timesofisrael.com/
17. Macklemore - Hind's Hall - Metlife Night 1 * 9/4/26 (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/
18. drooid.social (drooid.social) — https://drooid.social/
19. Macklemore–Ed Sheeran tour controversy - Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGCEGbPoPiVcWZj6Tl41XLoanbIWZQ6R1gWMuvGl861JxC0TWtyz3--O6BBq3lyAYaUT-Z2kmFTIBEYJewySVvgfGzqsq5ZMQ1pSyp3vhc4V53cUqu3CFLgmdzZQgMpgWyz1S57_TVhLZVZrImVghpPXdDOLPnmmeo5CbMGNwLR2icTDYHUc8c=
20. Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour after pro-Palestine speech at MetLife - UMaine Free Press (usmfreepress.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFzOfz69AQHSGeFn23Uv83aJJ_tup3I8cWwzyut-qz0x7mJyQ94SoeTe_pzrEa-hRSdMmEl0jucvfVjJEGeAEDAZ1YHAsKiXqzpAaSepcBc_wtnlptewuSBao-DghDK2wjcGzZ6m5uNiv0EWw13dXm9-c-XtCz7pExwZjdrU4rSZTD0N6iYkqkdSAaNmEzgFNxBLA2rRlG1JnITO0CFm2jBWC3DQOYBGFkTwK59w5LPnirGxw==
21. Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour after saying 'Free Palestine' at MetLife Stadium (mynorthwest.com) — https://mynorthwest.com/
22. Macklemore dropped from remainder of Ed Sheeran's tour (wusa9.com) — https://wusa9.com/
23. Macklemore Defends Pro-Palestine Remarks After Ed Sheeran Tour Criticism (forbes.com) — https://forbes.com/
24. Macklemore on Instagram: "The initial 3 European shows for the Free Palestine tour sold out immediately. This was all put together so quickly, in community, believing that musicians can stand in solidarity with Palestine, use the stage to raise funds and show what collective action can look like." (instagram.com) — https://www.instagram.com/p/C9wX6_2y48O/?hl=en