Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ tour sells out all three shows

Rapper Macklemore has announced that all three dates of his newly announced “Free Palestine” tour have sold out, shortly after he was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour following his pro-Palestinian remarks.

The rapper shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday (September 30), saying the shows in Dublin, Paris and London sold out immediately.

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“I’m honestly blown away,” Macklemore wrote. He said the shows were organised quickly and collectively, with the intention of using music to express solidarity with Palestinians and raise funds.

He added that the response demonstrated the number of people around the world supporting the cause. Macklemore also said the lineup for the three concerts would be announced soon.

The rapper first announced the “Free Palestine” tour last week, saying that all proceeds from the shows would go to organisations supporting Palestinians.

The announcement came shortly after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following comments he made in support of Palestine during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. According to the tour promoter, venues had indicated that they would not host the concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup.

Macklemore had been scheduled to perform as an opening act on Sheeran’s US tour. Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, announced on September 14 that he would no longer perform on the remaining dates.

The decision also prompted several other artists associated with the tour to leave. Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe subsequently departed from the tour.

Sheeran later addressed the controversy, saying Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision rather than his own. He said Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter and that he had spoken with venues and other parties in an attempt to find a resolution.

At a September 19 concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran also spoke publicly about the issue. He said he had generally avoided taking on the role of a political commentator because he wanted his music and performances to focus on unity, but described the situation as a humanitarian issue.

Macklemore’s comments at the MetLife Stadium shows had drawn criticism from several pro-Israel organisations and singer Pink, who called for his removal from the tour.

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The rapper’s upcoming shows in Dublin, Paris and London will instead form part of his new tour, with proceeds set to benefit organisations supporting Palestinians.