Macklemore's New Tour Sells Out Three Arenas

Macklemore performed the first night of a three-city benefit tour in Dublin on Monday evening.

The sold-out show at the 3Arena marked the start of a concert series dedicated to raising funds for Palestinian organizations. Organizers kept the full lineup secret until the event began. The bill featured Hozier and the Irish group Kneecap. Palestinian-American DJ and producer DJ Habibeats also played. Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul and rapper M1 of Dead Prez were on stage. Boega, the backing band that left Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore, performed as well.

The tour follows Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour last month. He was dropped after sharing pro-Palestine messages during his opening sets. Messina Touring Group, the promoter for Sheeran’s U.S. dates, announced the change. The group stated that venues threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup. The decision impacted hundreds of thousands of expected fans.

Liam Cunningham, an Irish actor, spoke onstage alongside activist Nadia Greenspan and artist Samir Eskanda. Cunningham addressed the audience directly. “Enjoying tonight does not mean forgetting about the suffering in Gaza,” he said. “It means celebrating the humanity and life that Palestinians have fought so hard to protect.”

All proceeds from the three concerts will go to organizations supporting Palestine. A press release detailed the scope of the work these groups do. The organizations provide medical supplies, food, and humanitarian assistance. They also advance education, community support, and advocacy. The release noted that these groups address the need for policy change in various countries.

The series continues in Paris at the Accor Arena on October 29. The final stop is London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30. Both dates are already sold out. The concerts aim to support families, children, healthcare workers, and students in Palestine.

Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy during his own shows. He stated that he did not want to be an activist musician but found himself in the middle of a debate on free speech. Sheeran emphasized his commitment to keeping concerts a safe space for fans. “I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran said.

Sheeran expressed concern about venues pre-approving content for performances. He noted that this practice happens in many places but should not occur in the free world. “My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me,” he added.

Macklemore announced his new tour on Instagram. He wrote that a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation has occurred in the last three years. He argued that being apolitical during a genocide no longer works in 2026. “People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community,” Macklemore posted. “To use the stage for more than entertainment.”