Macklemore chants "Free Palestine" after removal from Sheeran tour

At his first concert after being dropped from the opening acts on Ed Sheeran’s tour over his pro-Palestinian statements, American rapper Macklemore chanted "Free Palestine," stressing that the cause is humanitarian, not political.

American rapper Macklemore chanted "Free Palestine" during a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, his first show since he was dropped from the opening acts on British singer Ed Sheeran’s North American tour over his pro-Palestinian statements.

Macklemore said from the stage: "This is not a political issue but a humanitarian one. To see others suffering and say enough is enough—that is humanity." He also called for freedom for Sudan, Congo, Lebanon and Haiti, and addressed those afraid to leave their homes in the United States for fear of immigration and customs enforcement authorities, concluding: "Our message will always be love."

A song for Hind Rajab

In September, Macklemore had chanted "Free Palestine" while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He also performed his 2024 song "Hind’s Hall," which he dedicated to Hind Rajab, the six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza.

Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, which students renamed "Hind’s Hall" (archive)

He later announced that he had been removed from the remaining concerts on the tour after several venue owners objected. Other artists, including FINNEAS and Lukas Graham, withdrew from the tour in solidarity with him, while Sheeran said the decision had been made by the tour organizer, not him.

Macklemore pledged to donate $1 million from his earnings on Sheeran’s tour to organizations supporting Palestinians. His "Free Palestine" tour, whose proceeds support Palestinian causes, continues with concerts in Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29 and London on October 30.