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// DOSSIER — macklemore-free-palestine-benefit-tour-sold-out
Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' Benefit Tour Sells Out Following Ed Sheeran Tour Ousting
REL_TIME: 03 Oct 2026 08:12Z · LANG: EN
US rapper Macklemore (Benjamin Haggerty) announced that his 'Free Palestine' benefit tour sold out immediately after tickets went on sale for dates in Dublin, Paris, and London. The tour was organized in the wake of Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's 'Loop Tour' following pro-Palestinian remarks he made during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The controversy led to a mass withdrawal of Sheeran's other supporting acts, including Finneas and Lukas Graham, in solidarity with Macklemore. While Sheeran attributed the removal to promoters and venue owners like Robert Kraft, Macklemore framed the independent tour as a form of resistance against billionaire-led censorship. All proceeds from the upcoming October shows will be donated to 12 humanitarian organizations providing aid to Palestinians.
// Background
The controversy began on September 4, 2026, when Macklemore voiced support for Palestine and performed the protest song 'Hind's Hall' at MetLife Stadium. Following pressure from venue owners, specifically Robert Kraft, Macklemore was removed from the tour on September 14. This triggered a series of withdrawals by other artists and public protests at Sheeran's subsequent shows, leading to a decline in Sheeran's ticket demand and Macklemore's decision to organize his own independent benefit run.
// Key Developments
- Three European tour dates in Dublin, Paris, and London sold out instantly following their announcement.
- The tour was launched as a response to Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran's 'Loop Tour' over onstage political comments.
- All proceeds will benefit 12 organizations including UNRWA USA, Medical Aid for Palestinians, and the Gaza Soup Kitchen.
- Supporting acts Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and the band Beoga withdrew from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
- Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, reportedly spearheaded the pressure campaign to remove Macklemore from the tour lineup.
- Ed Sheeran's remaining tour dates saw a significant drop in resale ticket prices, with some falling below face value.
// Timeline
-
Macklemore makes 'Free Palestine' remarks during a performance at MetLife Stadium.
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Macklemore is officially removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour.
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Supporting acts including Finneas and Lukas Graham quit Sheeran's tour in solidarity.
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Ed Sheeran apologizes for 'mistakes' during a concert in Philadelphia.
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Macklemore announces his independent 'Free Palestine' benefit tour.
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Macklemore confirms all three European dates sold out immediately.
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Scheduled tour dates for Dublin, Paris, and London.
// Perspectives
[Macklemore]
Views his removal as billionaire-led censorship and advocates for artists to use their platforms for political solidarity and humanitarian aid.
[Ed Sheeran]
Claimed the decision to drop Macklemore was made by promoters and venue owners, while expressing personal distress over the fallout and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
[Robert Kraft (Kraft Group)]
Opposed Macklemore's presence on the tour, citing 'antisemitic rhetoric and imagery' and refusing to host the rapper at Gillette Stadium.
[Supporting Artists (Finneas, Aaron Rowe, etc.)]
Withdrew from the Loop Tour in a collective act of solidarity with Macklemore.
// Quotes
“When those in power try to silence our calls for liberation, art will always be a form of resistance.”
“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
“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.”
