Macklemore's Free Palestine Tour is underway. The benefit series opened Monday night, Oct. 26, at a sold-out 3Arena, where the rapper brought out Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga, the band that quit Ed Sheeran's tour in solidarity with him, Rolling Stone and Billboard reported.
The bill had been kept secret ahead of the show. Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul, M-1 of Dead Prez and Palestinian-American DJ and producer DJ Habibeats also performed, while video messages came from Mark Ruffalo, Julian Casablancas, Cynthia Nixon, Ilana Glazer and Natasha Rothwell.
Speeches and solidarity
Actor Liam Cunningham opened the night. "Enjoying tonight does not mean forgetting about the suffering in Gaza," he said, according to Rolling Stone, describing the concert as a celebration of the life Palestinians have fought to protect. Psychotherapist and activist Nadia Greenspan and organizer Samir Eskanda also spoke.
Hozier, who has spoken up for Palestinians at his concerts for more than two years, praised his country's tradition of solidarity on emancipation, justice and anti-racism. Beoga told the crowd they had never been prouder of where they come from. Kneecap, who have faced backlash for their own pro-Palestinian statements, said the truth can never be silenced.
How the tour came about
The shows grew out of Macklemore's removal from the North American leg of Sheeran's Loop Tour in September, after he called for a free Palestine onstage at MetLife Stadium. Robert Kraft confirmed he barred the rapper from Gillette Stadium, and Sheeran said the decision was made by his promoter. Several support acts and Beoga then left the tour, and Macklemore pledged his $1 million in net earnings from it to Palestinian aid groups.
Proceeds from the new series will go to organizations including Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Jewish Voice for Peace and UNRWA USA. The tour continues at Accor Arena on Thursday, Oct. 29, and wraps at OVO Arena Wembley on Friday, Oct. 30. Every date is sold out.
Reporting sources: Music News, “Macklemore Launches ‘Free Palestine’ Tour With Hozier and Kneecap in Dublin” · Billboard, “Macklemore, Hozier and Kneecap Play Sold-Out Free Palestine Benefit Concert in Dublin”.