Macklemore has reported that tickets for all three of his recently announced tour shows, aimed at raising funds for organizations that support Palestinians, were swiftly sold out.
This development occurred shortly after the four-time Grammy winner unveiled the October tour dates in Dublin, Paris, and London, dubbing it the Free Palestine tour. Macklemore has not disclosed the accompanying artists for the shows yet. The initial announcement post mentioned that the performances would include the rapper “and friends,” with Macklemore stating that the lineups would be revealed soon.
The rapper introduced the three-show European tour last week following his removal as an opening act for English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour leg.
Expressing his excitement, Macklemore shared on Instagram on Wednesday, “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.”
While CBC News sought input from Macklemore’s representatives regarding potential Canadian shows, no response has been received yet.
In a press release by Live Nation, it was disclosed that the concerts will benefit various Palestinian aid organizations, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and UNRWA USA.
The decision to embark on this tour was influenced by Macklemore being dropped from Sheeran’s tour due to threats from owners of American venues to cancel Sheeran’s shows if the rapper continued as the opening act, as stated by Messina Touring Group to Rolling Stone magazine.
Sheeran subsequently issued a statement, revealing that one of the individuals involved in the threats was Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group. Kraft’s company owns Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., and several professional sports teams.
Macklemore has consistently expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments over the years and has reiterated similar views on various platforms in the past.
Following Sheeran’s statement, all other opening acts, including Sheeran’s backing band, withdrew from the tour. Sheeran, addressing the controversy at his first post-controversy show in Philadelphia on Sept. 19, mentioned that he never aspired to be an activist musician.
Unfortunately, the shows scheduled at Gillette Stadium had to be canceled due to severe weather conditions.