Macklemore called 'out of touch' over speech at Free Palestine Tour kickoff

Macklemore Launches “Free Palestine Tour” After Removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Tour

Dublin – The American rapper Macklemore (real name Ben Haggerty) opened the first show of his “Free Palestine Tour” on Monday night in Dublin, where he reiterated his support for Palestinian liberation and defended the remarks that led to his removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour.

During the concert, Macklemore told the crowd, “I am proud to stand here on stage in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We will continue to fight for collective liberation until our last breath.” He added that “six weeks ago, two words is all that it took,” referring to the fallout after he declared “Free Palestine” while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in early September.

“The words are so threatening to some people that we'd rather silence them than confront what they actually mean. Somehow those words have become more controversial than the suffering that made them necessary,” Macklemore said.

Removal from Ed Sheeran’s Tour

Macklemore’s statement prompted the promoter of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to drop him from the lineup. Sheeran later said the decision was made by concert promoters and venue owners, not by him. In a statement on Instagram, Sheeran described the Israel‑Palestine conflict as a “human tragedy” and said he was “appalled” by the suffering on both sides.

Macklemore claims that Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had rallied other stadium owners to prevent him from performing.

Public Reaction

The rapper’s remarks sparked a wide range of responses online. Some users praised his activism, calling him “stunning and brave” and applauding his “humanity and courage.” A Facebook comment read, “Thank goodness for the humanity and courage of artists like this. Free Palestine.”

Other users criticized Macklemore’s approach. One X user wrote, “Imagine going to this and getting lectured by a person who is literally out of touch.” Another comment suggested that he should focus on domestic issues, saying, “Macklemore should care as much about Americans on Skid Row. He could go down there… give some of his personal fortune away & save people.” A different user added, “It’s one way to stay relevant, I guess.”

Upcoming Dates

Following the Dublin launch, Macklemore’s tour will continue in Paris and London. U.S. dates have not yet been announced, but the rapper has indicated that additional venues will be added as the tour progresses.

Macklemore’s “Free Palestine Tour” is part of a broader movement by artists to use their platforms for political advocacy, a trend that has drawn both support and backlash from audiences worldwide.