Macklemore’s Pro-Palestine Tour Sells Out After Ed Sheeran Tour Removal

Macklemore is going on his own tour after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour over his pro-Palestine speech during a tour stop last month.

On Wednesday, September 30, the 43-year-old rapper announced on Instagram that his Free Palestine tour, with concerts being in Dublin, Paris, and London, has sold out.

“I’m honestly blown away, we put these shows together and in community, believing that musicians can stand in solidarity with Palestine, use the stage to raise funds and show what collective action can look like,” he wrote in his post announcing his tour had sold out.

The first concert will take place on October 26, ending in London on October 30. While no supporting acts have been officially announced, it is also being billed as “Macklemore and Friends. “

Meanwhile, Sheeran is dealing with the fallout of his support artists quitting his Loop Tour in support of Macklemore being booted from the line-up. The performers who dropped from Sheeran’s tour were Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Boega, an Irish folk band

The Thrift Store rapper was kicked off the tour after screaming “free Palestine” on stage. After the incident, Finneas gave a statement on the decision, saying, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

Sheeran also responded to Macklemore’s firing, revealing on Instagram, “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, not mine it was the promoters, Messina Touring Group, that had ultimately pulled the plug.”

Macklemore not only called for a “free Palestine,” but she also showed images of the destruction in Gaza at MetLife Stadium for the September 4 or 5 concerts in New Jersey.

Deadline reported that Macklemore’s onstage move resulted in Jewish groups, such as the Israeli American Council, demanding he be removed. 

Sheeran also wrote on social media following Macklemore being axed that he was “not complicit” in him being let go and that he had the “personal views on this devastating conflict” between Palestine and Israel. However, Sheeran said, “I choose to use my fame and platform to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”

Despite Sheeran seemingly not believing in publicizing personal political views, former tour act Lukas felt different.

“We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up,” Lukas explained on social media.

It seemed Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium, saw it differently, as KBUR published online. 

He said that he would not, “Provide a platform for hate speech,” and accused him of “[A] broader history of antisemitic rhetoric.”

Kraft added, “I agree with Macklemore, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest.”

It appears Kraft’s decision had angered the artists, as CBS News reported, Aaron Rowe said, “As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.”

Macklemore shared his disappointment with Sheeran distancing himself from the situation and noted the sacrifice he was making with an Instagram post that said, “Taking a side can cost you… [b]ut there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”