Tones And I joined Macklemore on stage at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre as the US rapper began his sold-out Free Palestine tour, six weeks after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour.
The Australian singer, best known for Dance Monkey, supported Macklemore at the venue, which has capacity for about 9,500 people. She is due to appear at the tour’s Dublin show on October 26.
Tones And I later described taking part in the performance and tour as an “honour” in an Instagram post.
Proceeds from the Dublin, Paris and London shows will be donated to Palestinian charities.
During the Colorado performance, Macklemore paused to call for a “free Palestine” and spoke about people affected by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Being a human being in this moment is not complicated,” he told the crowd.
“It is not political. It is human to have a heart, to watch others suffering and to say, ‘Not anymore!’ So I say, ‘free Palestine’. I say, ‘free Palestine’!”
He also called for freedom for Congo, Lebanon and Haiti, as well as for “all the people that are affected by ICE in America, who are afraid to leave their houses”.
“The message will always be love,” Macklemore said.
The tour was announced in late September, after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour following backlash over his outspoken support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Macklemore had used several performances to express support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, with footage of the war shown on screens behind him. 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 perform on the remaining support dates.
The decision was followed by further disruption, with other opening acts and Sheeran’s house band withdrawing from scheduled US dates in solidarity with Macklemore.
Sheeran later said the decision had not been his own, explaining that his promoters held Macklemore’s contract and had made the call as he sought to build bridges with venue owners.
Announcing his new shows, Macklemore wrote that what had happened was “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,” he said.
