American rapper Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, has announced a series of benefit concerts in Europe to raise money for organisations supporting Palestinians. The concerts, part of his Free Palestine Tour, will take place in Paris, Dublin, and London. All proceeds from the shows will go to organisations supporting Palestine and the Palestinian movement. This move comes after Haggerty was removed from the US leg of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour following his outspoken support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza.
Haggerty has repeatedly described Israel's campaign in Gaza as a genocide and has made Palestinian solidarity a prominent part of his public advocacy. His 2024 protest song Hind's Hall, named after Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, became a major expression of his support for Palestinians. During his performance at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on September 4, Haggerty told the crowd he wanted Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
The announcement of the benefit concerts came days after Haggerty was dropped from the US leg of Sheeran's Loop tour. The decision to remove Haggerty was made by the tour promoter after venues refused to host him. The fallout also saw several other performers withdraw from the tour. Sheeran subsequently spoke publicly about Gaza, describing the situation as "catastrophic" and "unjustifiable". Haggerty has rejected accusations of antisemitism.
For Haggerty, the controversy has become bigger than one concert or one tour. "What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention," he said. The tour comes as Haggerty continues to use his music and public profile to advocate for Palestinian rights.
Haggerty has previously pledged earnings from his music and touring towards Palestinian humanitarian organisations, including groups providing medical assistance, food, and emergency support. The genocide in Gaza has resulted in widespread civilian deaths, displacement, and destruction, with human rights organisations and UN experts using the term genocide to describe Israel's conduct and its consequences for Palestinians.
Israel rejects allegations that it is committing genocide and has said its military campaign is aimed at Hamas rather than the Palestinian population. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition seeking Haggerty's removal from Sheeran's tour, while Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium, later said the venue would not host Haggerty because of what he described as antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
The Free Palestine Tour places Haggerty's advocacy at the centre of his music, transforming the fallout from a cancelled run of stadium performances into a series of concerts explicitly dedicated to Palestinian solidarity. Other artists who have publicly supported Palestinian causes are expected to join him on the tour, which is set to include US dates in the future.
Key points
- Macklemore's Free Palestine Tour will raise money for organisations supporting Palestinians.
- The tour was announced after Haggerty was removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour.
- Haggerty has repeatedly described Israel's campaign in Gaza as a genocide.
