Macklemore opened his Free Palestine Tour in Dublin on October 26, delivering a speech about freedom, oppression and the backlash surrounding his support for Palestinians. Addressing a sold-out crowd at the 3Arena, the Seattle rapper defended his use of the phrase “Free Palestine” after his removal from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
“Those two words are so threatening to some people. They would rather silence those two words than confront what they actually mean. Freedom that requires another person’s oppression isn’t freedom at all,” Macklemore told the audience, framing the tour as a platform for humanitarian aid and solidarity.
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The Dublin concert marked the first of three European benefit shows announced in September following the controversy surrounding his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. During those appearances, Macklemore performed “Hind’s Hall,” his protest song addressing the war in Gaza, displayed Palestinian imagery and led concertgoers in chants of “Free Palestine.” He was subsequently removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s U.S. tour.
Macklemore announced the new tour shortly afterward, saying his schedule had “freed up a bit” and that he had contacted artists willing to use their platforms to support Palestinians. All proceeds from the three concerts are being directed toward organizations providing humanitarian assistance and advocating for Palestinian rights, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Jewish Voice for Peace, UNRWA USA and the Palestinian Youth Movement. The rapper has also pledged approximately $1 million in net earnings from the Sheeran tour to organizations supporting Palestinians.
The Dublin show featured a surprise lineup that included Hozier, Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap and Irish folk band Beoga, who had also withdrawn from Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates in solidarity with Macklemore. Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul, Dead Prez member M-1 and Palestinian-American DJ Habibeats also appeared. Irish actor Liam Cunningham delivered opening remarks, reminding the audience that enjoying the concert did not mean forgetting the suffering in Gaza, while psychotherapist and activist Nadia Greenspan and organizer Samir Eskanda also addressed the crowd.
Hozier spoke about Ireland’s history of solidarity with movements for emancipation and justice, while Beoga celebrated the audience’s support. The event brought together music, political speech and fundraising, with fans arriving in keffiyehs and carrying Palestinian flags.
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