WATCH: Macklemore Debuts Viral Protest Song Live Ahead Of Aus Tour

Yesterday (8 May), Macklemore began the Australia/New Zealand leg of his BEN tour at TSB Bank Arena in Wellington, New Zealand. During the show, he premiered the live debut of his viral new protest song, Hind’s Hall, and gave a rousing speech about its meaning.

In case you missed it: on Tuesday (7 May), Macklemore independently posted the video for his new song on social media and revealed that when it eventually hits streaming services – at the time of writing, it’s not yet on Spotify or Apple Music – all proceeds from Hind’s Hall will go to UNRWA.

Last month, Columbia University renamed the institution’s Hamilton Hall Hind’s Hall in tribute to Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who tragically died during the war earlier this year. Hind’s Hall is a protest song in support of Palestinians in the ongoing Israel-Gaza war and shows solidarity with the college students holding protests in the US.

Towards the end of the song, Macklemore highlighted the silence in the music industry towards support for Palestine, rapping: “The music industry’s quiet, complicit in their platform of silence/What happened to the artist, what do you got to say?/ If I was on a label, you could drop me today/ And be fine with it ’cause the heart fed my page/ I want a ceasefire, fuck a response from Drake.”

HIND’S HALL. Once it’s up on streaming all proceeds to UNRWA. pic.twitter.com/QqZEKmzwZI

— Macklemore (@macklemore) May 6, 2024

In video footage captured and posted on social media, Macklemore said that he stood in solidarity with Palestine before performing at Hind’s Hall, leading a “Free Palestine” chant throughout the arena.

“I stand here today and every day forward for the rest of my life in solidarity with the people of Palestine, with an open heart, in the belief that our collective liberation is at stake – that we all deserve freedom in this life of ours,” Macklemore said upon introducing Hind’s Hall.

You can watch the video footage and check out fan reactions to the performance below.

Covered @macklemore's show in Wellington last night where he managed to get an entire stadium yelling 'Free Free Palestine'.

Before he launched into his new track - Hind's Hall - he said this: pic.twitter.com/1MMxqhfHjv

— Eva Corlett (@EvaCorlett) May 9, 2024

This evening in Wellington, New Zealand, @macklemore said #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/oXJsLBpe2f

— David Thomsen (@lotographia) May 8, 2024

Macklemore performed Hind's hall for the first time. this is how you use your platform. i wish more artist would follow. pic.twitter.com/2rTsu0Cuz9

— k⁷ (@behindOT7) May 8, 2024

@nickpurdie

Macklemore performing ‘Hind’s Hall’ live for the first time! 8 May 2024 Everyone needs to hear this song. Share the message!! @Macklemore #freepalestine #hindhall #macklemoreconcert #hindshall #macklemorelive #sharethemessage #firstperformance #hindshalllive #notvotingbiden #newzealand #wellingtonnz

♬ original sound - nickpurdie

Macklemore returns to Australia this weekend. His tour has been met with extraordinary demand, with three shows at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, two at Perth’s HBF Stadium, a venue upgrade in Melbourne (to Rod Laver Arena), a show at Brisbane’s Riverstage, and will headline Darwin’s BASSINTHEGRASS festival.

$1 from each ticket sold for his Australian and New Zealand tour dates will be donated to PLUS1, a nonprofit organisation Macklemore has partnered with to support teenagers and their families from active substance abuse to meaningful, long-lasting recovery.

MACKLEMORE

​AUSTRALIAN TOUR - MAY 2024

​Presented by MG Live & Frontier Touring

Saturday 11 May - Hordern Pavilion | Sydney, NSW (Lic. All Ages)

Sunday 12 May - Hordern Pavilion | Sydney, NSW (Lic. All Ages)

Monday 13 May - Hordern Pavilion | Sydney, NSW - NEW SHOW (Lic. All Ages)  

Wednesday 15 May – Rod Laver Arena | Melbourne, VIC (Lic. All Ages)   

Friday 17 May - Riverstage | Brisbane, QLD (Lic. All Ages)   

Monday 20 May - HBF Stadium | Perth, WA (All Ages)  

Tuesday 21 May – HBF Stadium | Perth, WA (All Ages)

Also performing at:

​Saturday 18 May – BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival, Darwin*

*Not a Frontier Touring show.