Days after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over his pro-Palestinian remarks, Macklemore is returning to the stage on his own terms, launching a "Free Palestine" concert series that will send all proceeds to organizations supporting Palestinians.
The Grammy-winning rapper announced Thursday that the series will begin in Europe next month, opening at Dublin's 3Arena on Oct. 26 before heading to Paris' Accor Arena on Oct. 29 and London's OVO Arena Wembley on Oct. 30.
Additional performers and U.S. dates will be announced later, while an artist presale is scheduled to begin Monday.
Proceeds from the concerts will support a range of organizations providing humanitarian assistance and advocating for Palestinians, including Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and UNRWA USA, among others.
The announcement follows controversy over Macklemore's removal as an opening act from Sheeran's Loop Tour in North and South America after the U.S. rapper made pro-Palestinian remarks during performances in New Jersey earlier this month.
Macklemore performed "Hind's Hall," his pro-Palestinian song, and called for a "Free Palestine" during the shows.
"What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage," Macklemore said in announcing the new concerts.
He argued that recent events had demonstrated the influence wealthy individuals can wield over which political messages are allowed on major stages.
"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.
Macklemore attributed his removal from Sheeran's tour to an effort involving billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, one of the venues on Sheeran's tour.
Sheeran, however, said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour's U.S. promoter after venues objected to the rapper's participation, adding that he had spoken with the venues in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
Sheeran later addressed the controversy during a Philadelphia concert on Sept. 19, describing the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic and unjustifiable" while saying he wanted his concerts to remain spaces centered on unity rather than politics.
Other supporting acts subsequently withdrew from Sheeran's tour, including a group that had been scheduled to perform with him during part of the show.
Macklemore has been an outspoken supporter of Palestinians since Israel's war on Gaza began. In 2024, he released "Hind's Hall," named after a Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, and pledged proceeds from the song to humanitarian groups supporting Palestinians.
The rapper also said he would donate $1 million from his net earnings from the tour to six organizations assisting Palestinians.
