American rapper Macklemore opened his Free Palestine tour in Dublin on Tuesday night, using the stage at the 3Arena to deliver a forceful message of solidarity with Palestinians. The sold-out show came weeks after Ed Sheeran dropped him from his Loop Tour following Macklemore's on-stage declaration of "Free Palestine" and his characterization of Israel's military actions in Gaza as genocide.
Addressing the crowd of 13,000, Macklemore—born Benjamin Haggerty—said he was proud to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and vowed to continue the fight for "collective liberation." Waving a Palestinian flag throughout much of his set, he referenced the two words that had cost him a spot on Sheeran's tour: "Six weeks ago, two words is all that it took."
"Those two words are so threatening to some people that we'd rather silence those two words than confront what they actually mean," he said. "Somehow those words have become more controversial than the suffering that made them necessary." His remarks drew cheers from the audience, many of whom held Palestinian flags and signs.
Surprise guests and a video message
The Dublin concert featured a lineup of surprise appearances, as promised. Irish singer Hozier and Belfast rap trio Kneecap joined Macklemore on stage, as did folk band Beoga, who had previously performed on Sheeran's tour. Palestinian vocalist Lina Makhoul and Palestinian-American DJ Habibeats also performed, adding a distinctly Palestinian musical voice to the evening.
One of the most unexpected moments came via video: actor Mark Ruffalo appeared on the big screens, telling the crowd, "There will be no peace until there's equality." Ruffalo's message underscored the international attention the tour has attracted.
Macklemore's decision to launch the tour in Dublin is significant. Ireland has one of the most pro-Palestinian publics in Europe, and the government has been outspoken in its criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza. The choice of Dublin also resonates with the broader European context, where debates over free speech and solidarity with Palestine have intensified since the war began.
Proceeds to aid organizations
All proceeds from the Free Palestine tour will go to organizations supporting Palestinians, including Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, HEAL Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement, the Middle East Children's Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Institute for Middle East Understanding, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and UNRWA USA.
The Dublin show is the first of three European dates. Macklemore is scheduled to perform in Paris at the Accor Arena on Thursday, October 29, and in London at the OVO Arena Wembley on Friday, October 30. The tour's European leg follows a series of US dates that have drawn both praise and criticism.
The context of the tour is the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Israeli military launched its campaign in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. According to the Gaza health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent bombardment. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations have described Israel's actions as genocide.
A recent report found that "Israeli authorities and security forces have deliberately targeted Palestinian children, resulting in genocide and atrocity crimes in the Gaza Strip and war crimes in the West Bank." A previous report from last September concluded that Israel had committed genocide and that these acts were incited by senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Macklemore's tour is part of a broader cultural response to the war, with artists using their platforms to voice opposition. His stance has sparked debate about the role of musicians in political conflicts, and the decision by Ed Sheeran to drop him was widely criticized as cowardly and an affront to free speech. For many in Dublin, the concert was a reaffirmation of the power of art to bear witness.
