Macklemore ProfileMacklemore and friends have just wrapped their Free Palestine tour dates in Paris, London, and Dublin, and the rapper has now confirmed that while he planned to take the shows to the US, it doesn’t look likely.
In a post shared on social media, Macklemore said that nine major American arenas, including Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Centre, Kia Forum, and Crypto.com Arena, allegedly turned down his proposals upon finding out it would be part of his Free Palestine tour.
“By mid-September, we received available dates at these arenas through the end of the year,” Macklemore wrote on Instagram today (7 November). “But once they found out these were my benefit shows for Palestine, those dates were suddenly off the table.
“The doors were closed. The conversations were all different, but the result was the same. The shows were not going to be allowed to happen in these venues.”
He continued, “In over twenty years of touring, I've never experienced anything like this.
“But this is not an isolated incident. For decades, activists, poets, writers, musicians and entertainers who have stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people have faced consequences for doing so. Many have paid a far greater price than I have.”
Macklemore added that the “intimidation, manipulation, and suppression” he experienced are how people in power keep entertainers from speaking up about world issues, including the ongoing devastation in Gaza – the UN concludes that Israel is committing war crimes and continuing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, as of October 2026.
“But at this point, I'm three years past giving two shits about maintaining any relationships, business or personal, with anyone that isn't riding for a Free Palestine,” he continued.
“I'd rather lose every opportunity in this industry than spend another day protecting people who value their business relationships with Israel more than they value Palestinian human life.”
He added that America prides itself on freedom of speech, yet “a handful of billionaires” can decide “which causes are acceptable, which voices are welcome, and which human lives are defending.
“Today it's Palestine. What will it be tomorrow?”
Macklemore urged fellow artists to join him in standing for a free Palestine. He dreams of a world where saying Free Palestine isn’t controversial, but expected, where artists “value their freedom of speech and collective liberation more than their brand deals.”
His Free Palestine tour across Europe and the UK produced three sold-out arena shows, where thousands gathered for the same cause.
As his post reached its conclusion, Macklemore wrote, “The people have spoken. We want an end to the genocide, and we want a Free Palestine. The arenas have made their decision. Now we'll make ours. If they think the threat of never playing another arena in America will make me retreat into silence, they got me fucked up.
“There comes a point when the world changes, not because those in power give us permission, but because the people stop asking for it.
“We will build our own stages.
“They may own the arenas. But they do not own the people who fill them. And they never will.”
In September, Macklemore announced that, because of pro-Palestinian statements he had made on stage, he had been removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour.
Having played just two of eight scheduled dates, Macklemore explained that Sheeran was contacted by US businessman Robert Kraft – whose company, the Kraft Group, owns Gillette Stadium, where the rapper was scheduled to support Sheeran on two dates – and was given an ultimatum: either remove Macklemore from the shows or not play the venue.
Sheeran later weighed in, denying Macklemore's characterisation of his "typical apolitical stance" and claiming that while he is "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine", the "promoters and venues" were ultimately to blame for Macklemore's removal.
Despite this, all of the acts involved in the tour – including Sheeran's backing band Beoga, and other openers Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and FINNEAS – all announced they would be dropping off the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.
