Macklemore has announced a 'Free Palestine' concert tour, which includes a date in Ed Sheeran's hometown. The US rapper will bring live shows to Dublin, Paris and London as part of a series of performances centred on Palestine.
This comes after Macklemore was removed from the US leg of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour following his outspoken support for Palestine. The rapper had used his opening set at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium to say 'Free Palestine' and perform his protest song Hind's Hall, with images from Gaza and pro-Palestinian demonstrations shown on screens.
Dropped from Loop tour
However, he was subsequently dropped from the tour after venues refused to host shows with him on the bill. Sheeran later said the decision had been made by the tour promoter after venue owners threatened to pull shows.
Macklemore has now pledged the proceeds from his new concerts to a list of organisations working with Palestinians. They include Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, HEAL Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.
Proceeds to Palestinian organisations
The organisations cover areas including medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, community support, advocacy and media work. More dates and cities, including shows in the US, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Macklemore says the concerts will bring him together with artists and friends, with proceeds going towards organisations providing humanitarian aid and support to Palestinians. The announcement follows Macklemore's pledge last week to donate his $1 million earnings from the Ed Sheeran tour to Palestinian relief organisations.
