Macklemore’s three-date “Free Palestine” tour of Europe has sold out, the rapper announced on Wednesday (September 1). The run comes less than a month after he was removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour over pro-Palestinian statements. In an Instagram post, Macklemore announced that the shows in Dublin, Paris and London “sold out immediately”.
Fans reported that the Dublin show sold out within five minutes of going on sale at 10 am on September 30, after two earlier presales. The tour will open at Dublin's 3Arena on October 26, followed by Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29 and London's OVO Arena Wembley the next day. The three venues are large: they hold roughly 12,000 to 20,000 people each, which puts the run at tens of thousands of tickets.
“I’m honestly blown away. 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. When those in power try to silence our calls for liberation, art will always be a form of resistance,” Macklemore wrote in his Instagram post. The shows are billed as “Macklemore and Friends.” No supporting artists have been named, and he says lineups are “coming soon”.
Where the money goes
According to the tour announcement, proceeds will go to 12 organisations supporting Palestinians, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. It is the second time in weeks the 43-year-old Seattle rapper has directed tour money to Palestinian causes.
On September 16, he pledged the full $1 million in net earnings from the Sheeran tour to six groups: Palestine Children's Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA and Anera. He also invited the billionaire Robert Kraft to match the donation.
How he got here
Macklemore, known for his songs Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us, called for a free Palestine during his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4. Days later, the tour promoter announced he was leaving, after several venues said they would not host shows if he stayed on the bill.
Macklemore said Sheeran told him Kraft had rallied other stadium owners, who issued an ultimatum that he would be barred from their venues if Macklemore stayed. Kraft owns Gillette Stadium and owns the Patriots. Sheeran said the promoter made the decision and that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter, not him.
Sheeran's tour feels the fallout
Support acts Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe left the North American leg in protest. Sheeran’s band also dropped out, according to Billboard. Protesters gathered outside the first show without Macklemore.
The commercial effect has also been visible. Resale prices for Sheeran’s first post-controversy show in Philadelphia reportedly fell by about 60 per cent. The Independent reported that a ticket for his October 3 Atlanta date was listed on Ticketmaster for as little as $19.49 including fees, with hundreds still available. Sheeran offered a tearful apology to fans at a later Philadelphia show.
Macklemore has said U.S. dates will be announced later.
