Macklemore has announced a Free Palestine tour after being dropped from the US leg of Ed Sheeran’s tour over his public support for Palestinians.
The rapper, known for hits including Thrift Shop, said his “schedule freed up a bit” before confirming performances in Dublin, London and Paris next month.
He said the shows would raise money for organisations supporting the “Palestinian people and movement”, with further artists and US dates to be announced.
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage,” Macklemore wrote.
“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.”
Macklemore had used several performances to speak in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, with footage of the war shown on screens behind him. He also criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and urged audiences to support Palestinians.
His comments prompted accusations of antisemitism and calls for him to be removed from Sheeran’s tour. Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the US leg, confirmed on September 14 that Macklemore would not appear at the remaining support dates.
Sheeran’s other opening acts and house band subsequently withdrew from their scheduled US dates in solidarity with Macklemore.
Announcing his new tour, Macklemore said: “There has been a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation, the power of billionaires that try to censor that call, and what we expect from artists right now.”
“People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community. To use the stage for more than entertainment. To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”
Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy
Sheeran has said that dropping Macklemore was not his decision, explaining that the promoters who held the contract with the rapper had made the call as he tried to build bridges with venue owners.
During a concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran told the audience he had never wanted to be “an activist musician”, but had been placed at the centre of an argument about free speech and the conflict in Gaza.
He said what had happened in Gaza was “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate”, adding: “This is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
