American rapper Macklemore launched his Free Palestine tour in Dublin, playing to a crowd of up to 13,000 at the city’s 3Arena following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestinian stage remarks and political commentary.
Dublin Sell-Out Launches Macklemore’s Benefit Tour
The American star, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, took to the stage at the Dublin venue after promising fans many incredible surprise guests ahead of the performance. The concert marks the official start of his newly announced tour, with proceeds earmarked for organizations supporting Palestinians. Among the artists joining him on the Dublin bill were singer-songwriter Hozier, rap trio Kneecap, and folk band Beoga.
The tour comes weeks after the rapper was dropped from the lineup of Ed Loop Tour. The fallout followed onstage remarks where Haggerty used the phrase free Palestine
during two separate concerts and delivered political speeches describing the death toll in Gaza as a genocide—an allegation that Israel firmly rejects.
Promoter Intervention and Venue Bans Behind Sheeran Tour Exit
The split from the global tour unfolded across September 2026 following performances at MetLife Stadium, where Haggerty performed his protest song Hind’s Hall.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group announced on September 14, 2026, that venues on the remaining United States route would refuse to permit concerts featuring the rapper on the bill.
Macklemore closes out his “Free Palestine” tour kickoff in Dublin with “Can’t Hold Us.” pic.twitter.com/5VWMW7OYTA
— https://x.com/Variety/status/2114862269372694628
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would be barred from performing at Gillette Stadium due to concerns regarding antisemitism. In response, Haggerty denied harboring antisemitic views, rejecting any equivalence between criticizing Israeli government military actions and showing hostility toward Jewish people.
Sheeran Restructures Support Lineup with Slade and Rosser
As support acts withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore—including Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Finneas, and Beoga—Sheeran moved quickly to fill out the remaining stadium dates on the Loop Tour. Former Fray frontman Isaac Slade and American Idol contestant Brooks Rosser secured new support slots following announcements shared via Instagram on October 8, 2026.
Slade’s addition follows earlier guest appearances alongside Sheeran in Toronto and Atlanta, where the former Fray singer performed tracks such as How to Save a Life
and addressed the conflict in Gaza by urging audiences to find common ground. Meanwhile, Rosser joined the Indianapolis bill following a run on the 24th season of American Idol.
Tour Itineraries and International Schedules Ahead
Macklemore is scheduled to continue his benefit performances in Europe, with upcoming dates set for Paris and London. The artist pledged that financial proceeds from the venture will directly aid Palestinian support networks.
Sheeran’s itinerary continues through North American venues before shifting to an international leg. That leg opens with two performances at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida in Santiago, Chile, on November 21 and 22, 2026, followed by stops in Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil before concluding at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City on December 11, 2026.
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