Macklemore Free Palestine Tour Sells Out Immediately

US rapper Macklemore announced that tickets for all three dates of his Free Palestine tour sold out immediately after going on sale, following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour over pro-Palestinian comments. The 43-year-old artist, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, shared his astonishment on Instagram on Wednesday, telling his 9.1 million followers that the overwhelming response demonstrated how many people globally are standing together for Palestinian liberation.

Tour Dates and Sold-Out Venues

The routing for the upcoming concert series begins at Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26th, moves to Paris’s Accor Arena on October 29th, and finishes at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30th, according to the Press Association. Fans trying to secure seats reported on social media that the Dublin date vanished in just five minutes after sales opened at 10 am, with many expressing frustration over long queues despite utilizing presales through Macklemore’s website and the Three+ app, The Journal reported. Hotpress noted that additional artist announcements, alongside further city dates including stops in the United States, will be revealed soon.

All three shows sold out immediately. I’m honestly blown away, Macklemore wrote on Instagram, as reported by the Press Association. We put these shows together fast 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.

The Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout and Stadium Pressure

According to The Journal, Macklemore stated that Kraft informed Sheeran the US rapper would not be allowed to perform in his venue and rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum demanding the support act’s removal.

While Sheeran stated in social media remarks that the decision was made by the promoter rather than himself, the controversy caused a cascading withdrawal among the tour’s remaining support acts. The Press Association reported that Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Grammy award-winning musician Finneas, Danish singer Lukas Graham, and backing band Beoga all dropped out of the remaining dates in solidarity. During his first performance following the backlash, Sheeran apologized for mistakes and described the conflict in Gaza as catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate, while also voicing deep concern over venues pre-approving performer content, as detailed by Hotpress.

When those in power try to silence our calls for liberation, art will always be a form of resistance, Macklemore stated, according to the Press Association. He further elaborated on social media, noting, Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore. People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community.

Tour Proceeds Support Twelve Palestinian Humanitarian Organizations

All proceeds generated from the Free Palestine tour will be distributed directly to a coalition of twelve organizations delivering medical care, educational resources, community support, advocacy, and humanitarian assistance to Palestinian people. Hotpress and the Press Association listed the beneficiary organizations as Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, Heal Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement, the Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Institute for Middle East Understanding, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and UNRWA USA.