Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' tour sells out three European shows

Rapper Macklemore's highly anticipated ‘Free Palestine’ tour has sold out all three European arena shows following his controversial removal from Ed Sheeran's US tour over his onstage remarks in support of Palestine.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the US artist confirmed that all three concerts, scheduled to take place in Dublin, Paris and London, had "sold out immediately".

"I'm honestly blown away," Macklemore said. "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 announcement comes less than a week after Macklemore unveiled the concerts, which aim to raise funds for organisations supporting Palestinians.

The tour will begin at Dublin's 3Arena on 26 October, followed by performances at Paris' Accor Arena on 29 October and London's OVO Arena Wembley on 30 October.

Macklemore said he wanted to use the newly available dates to bring together artists willing to publicly support Palestine.

According to the tour announcement, proceeds from the shows will benefit 12 organisations supporting Palestinians, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper has yet to reveal which artists will join him, with the concerts billed as "Macklemore and Friends" and the official line-ups expected to be announced soon.

Fallout from Ed Sheeran tour continues

Macklemore, best known for hits including Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us, became embroiled in controversy after he was removed from Sheeran's 'Loop' tour in the US, sparking an outcry among activists and figures in the music industry.

The rapper had called for a "free Palestine" during his opening set at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on 4 September, prompting criticism over the silencing of pro-Palestinian advocacy.

Pro-Israel billionaire Robert Kraft played a central role in Macklemore's removal, demanding that Sheeran's show be barred unless the rapper was dropped over his support for Palestine.

The decision raised questions about artistic freedom and the suppression of pro-Palestinian activism as Israel's genocidal war in Gaza approaches its third year.

Sheeran also faced criticism over his handling of the controversy, particularly after defending the decision and saying he would not be drawn into a public debate about the war in Gaza.

He maintained that removing Macklemore was "the promoter's decision".

The fallout continued as other opening acts withdrew from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Palestine, while protesters gathered outside his first concert without Macklemore last week.

Meanwhile, The Independent reported that some Sheeran fans were struggling to resell their tickets, with prices falling across several platforms.

A ticket for Sheeran's 3 October concert in Atlanta was reportedly listed on Ticketmaster for as little as $19.49, including fees, with hundreds of tickets still available.