The performance at Dublin’s 3Arena featured several surprise appearances, including singer-songwriter Hozier, Irish rap trio Kneecap and folk band Beoga. The latter had also performed on Sheeran’s tour, adding another dimension to the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s departure.
The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, announced the new tour days after he was dropped from Sheeran’s Loop Tour following public statements supporting Palestinians and criticising Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Macklemore faced criticism from Jewish groups after declaring “free Palestine” at two concerts and delivering political speeches in which he described the mounting death toll in Gaza as genocide, a characterisation Israel rejects.
Sheeran subsequently clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by his concert promoter, Messina Touring Group, rather than by him personally.
Despite the controversy, Macklemore has continued to use his platform to advocate for Palestinians. He has also pledged that proceeds from the ‘Free Palestine’ tour will go to organisations supporting Palestinians.
Following the Dublin performance, the rapper is scheduled to perform in Paris on Thursday and London on Friday.
Sold-Out Dublin Concert Becomes a Show of Solidarity
Hours before the arena opened its doors, concertgoers were already queuing outside the venue, with many wearing Palestinian jerseys, keffiyeh scarves and clothing bearing symbols of Palestinian identity. Some attendees also displayed Palestinian and Irish flags, while vendors sold Palestinian-themed merchandise and items bearing the Kneecap logo.
The gathering reflected the political significance the concert had assumed for many fans, who viewed Macklemore’s performance as an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians and support musicians willing to speak publicly about the conflict.
Nicola McCollough travelled from Belfast with her daughter, Lily Rose Murphy, who was attending her first concert. Both expressed support for Macklemore’s decision to speak about Gaza.
“More people need to, if you have the platform, do it because not everybody has that kind of stage,” Nicola said.
Her daughter echoed the sentiment, saying: “I would speak about anything if I'm supportive of it.”
Another concertgoer, Gillian Duffy, travelled from Cork with her son, Joshua. She said the demand for the Dublin performance reflected the strength of public interest in Macklemore’s message.
“If Macklemore had put on 10 shows in Dublin, all 10 would have been filled,” she said.
“This is the hottest ticket because people want to be here, they really, really want to show their support,” Duffy added.
She predicted that the slogan associated with the tour would be heard throughout the Irish capital that evening.
“You're going to hear [the chant] 'Free, free Palestine' all over Dublin tonight,” she said.
Jess O’Riordan, who also travelled from Cork, criticised Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour, describing the decision as “absolutely appalling”.
“I wish we had more people out there that would use their platform the way he does,” she added.
The sold-out show and the visible expressions of support underscored how the dispute over Macklemore’s political statements has extended beyond the music industry into wider public debates about artistic freedom, political expression and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Why Macklemore Was Dropped From Sheeran’s Tour
The dispute intensified in early September when Macklemore, performing as an opening act for Sheeran at a concert in New Jersey, addressed the audience about his reasons for joining the tour.
“A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine,” he said.
The ‘Thrift Shop’ rapper subsequently performed a song dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University in the United States. The track criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Macklemore was removed from the tour on September 14. Following the decision, he accused stadium owners of coordinating efforts to push him out, while billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft accused him of hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric in connection with his comments about Israel and Gaza.
Sheeran later said the decision had been taken by Messina Touring Group, the concert promoter responsible for the tour.
The controversy also prompted support acts to withdraw from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, while some fans expressed frustration over the developments.
Addressing the dispute during a concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran acknowledged that he had made “mistakes” in handling the fallout and apologised to fans. He also described the Israel-Gaza conflict as “a humanitarian issue”.
Sheeran condemned the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, as “horrific” and described the situation in Gaza as “unjustifiable and disproportionate”.
Gaza Conflict Remains at the Centre of Debate
The controversy surrounding the rapper’s tour comes against the backdrop of a devastating conflict that began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Approximately 1,200 people were killed in the attack, while 251 others were taken hostage.
Israel subsequently launched a military campaign in Gaza. More than 70,000 people have been killed during the campaign, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, whose casualty figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
Israel maintains that its military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are conducted in self-defence and in accordance with international law.
Macklemore’s decision to centre his latest tour on support for Palestinians has therefore placed the performances at the intersection of music, activism and a highly contested international conflict.
For many of those who attended the Dublin concert, the evening represented more than a live music experience. Their comments and displays of Palestinian symbols reflected a desire to support a cause they believe deserves greater public attention.
As the tour moves to Paris and London, Macklemore’s performances are likely to continue drawing attention to the debate over the role of musicians in political advocacy and the consequences they may face when expressing their views on contentious international issues.