Hozier Joins Macklemore Onstage at Surprise-Packed ‘Free Palestine’ Show in Dublin After Ed Sheeran Tour Removal

OK! Staff Sat, November 7, 2026 at 4:24 PM UTC

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Macklemore launched his sold-out Free Palestine Tour in Dublin after losing his opening slot on Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour. BY: MEGA

Macklemore lost his remaining dates opening for Ed Sheeran after delivering pro-Palestine speeches onstage. Weeks later, he returned with a sold-out tour built entirely around the message that cost him the slot.

The rapper opened his three-show Free Palestine Tour at Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26, joined by Hozier, Kneecap, Palestinian American DJ Habibeats, Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul and M1 of Dead Prez.

From Removed Opener to Sold-Out Headliner

Ed Sheeran expressed concern about concert venues demanding advance approval of artists’ performances and political messages. BY: MEGA

Boega, the backing band that withdrew from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore, also performed. Organizers kept the lineup secret until the concert.

The tour continued at Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29 and London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30. All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting Palestinians through humanitarian assistance, education, advocacy and community programs.

Macklemore lost his remaining opening performances on Ed Sheeran’s U.S. ‘Loop Tour’ after delivering pro-Palestine speeches onstage. BY: MEGA

Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour after venues threatened to cancel concerts if he remained on the bill, according to promoter Messina Touring Group.

Sheeran later said he had never wanted to become an activist musician but was “deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content for performance.”

“This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world,” Sheeran said.

‘What Is Art For?’

Macklemore scheduled additional ‘Free Palestine Tour’ concerts in Paris on October 29 and London on October 30. BY: MEGA

“This is an issue of free speech. That’s it, and one I fear would be less contentious if this was about any other conflict around the world,” said Shain Shapiro, Ph.D., founder and executive director of the Center for Music Ecosystems and author of the forthcoming book, How Music Can Save The World.

Shapiro, who is Jewish, noted “there are many Palestinians whose voices should be heard on this issue.”

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“This is the point of the arts: to express oneself. One can agree with it or not, which is also their free speech,” he said.

“Campaigning to cancel is about politics, often by those whose free speech isn’t under question,” he added, “and if artists don’t feel free to share their views, what is art for?”

Activism Becomes the Tour

Amore Philip explained that Macklemore’s political activism could strengthen fan loyalty while potentially creating problems with promoters and brands. BY: MEGA

In announcing the concerts, Macklemore argued that audiences now expect artists “to use the stage for more than entertainment” and resist efforts to silence calls for a free Palestine.

“Political speech on stage is a business decision as much as a creative one,” said Amore Philip, founder of Apples and Oranges Public Relations.

“For an artist like Macklemore, activism is part of the brand, so most people buying a ticket know what they are signing up for,” she explained.

Philip said the strategy can deepen fan loyalty and generate attention, while potentially alienating promoters, brands and casual listeners.

“Artists who handle this well are consistent,” she said. “Consistency reads as conviction. Inconsistency reads as a stunt, and audiences can tell the difference.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”