The American rapper Macklemore announced on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, a series of benefit concerts titled "Free Palestine." Proceeds from the performances will be directed to humanitarian organizations providing aid in Gaza and the West Bank. The tour is scheduled to begin in Europe next month, with a North American leg to follow.
The announcement follows Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran’s "Loop Tour" after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments during an onstage performance on Sept. 4, 2024. Macklemore attributed his removal to Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium. Sheeran stated the decision to remove Macklemore was made by promoters. Sheeran’s remaining support acts—Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham—subsequently departed the tour in response to the situation.
The "Free Palestine" tour will feature Macklemore alongside various musicians. The first confirmed dates are Oct. 26 at Dublin’s 3Arena, Oct. 29 at Paris’ Accor Arena, and Oct. 30 at London’s OVO Arena Wembley. Macklemore stated on Instagram that he will donate $1 million from his net earnings from the tour to organizations helping Palestinians. Beneficiaries include Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, HEAL Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and UNRWA USA.
The event follows a dispute between an artist and a stadium owner. Several scheduled opening acts withdrew from Sheeran's tour dates, altering the lineup for stadium shows.
What happens next: Artist presale tickets for the Dublin, Paris, and London shows will become available at 10 a.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, via Macklemore’s website. Following the European run that concludes on Oct. 30, organizers plan to announce dates for a North American leg.