Macklemore reaffirmed his public support for Palestine during his first performance since being removed as an opening act from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
The 43-year-old rapper performed at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 22, about a month after the tour controversy.
Macklemore stands by his views post-Ed Sheeran tour removal
During the concert, Macklemore reiterated his support for Palestinians, describing his stance as a humanitarian rather than a political issue.
“It is not political. It is human to have a heart,” Macklemore told the audience before repeating his call to “free Palestine.”
He also highlighted humanitarian concerns in Sudan, Congo, Lebanon, and Haiti. Macklemore additionally referenced people affected by U.S. immigration enforcement and said his message would remain centered on love.
According to PEOPLE, his comments came after he was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour for making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage.
Macklemore subsequently announced a three-date Free Palestine Tour and said proceeds from those shows would benefit organizations supporting Palestinians. While announcing the concerts, he urged artists to use their platforms to address humanitarian issues and challenged efforts to silence calls for a free Palestine.
However, Sheeran said he did not personally decide to remove Macklemore from the tour. He explained that Macklemore had signed his tour contract with the promoter, not with him.
The singer later addressed the wider controversy during a September 19 concert in Philadelphia. Sheeran said the controversy had drawn him into a debate about free speech and the Israel-Gaza conflict, despite his reluctance to become an activist musician.
He condemned the October 7 attack at the Nova music festival while also describing the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
Macklemore’s latest performance made it clear that his removal from the tour had not changed his public stance. He continued advocating for Palestinians while preparing for his upcoming benefit concerts.
