Macklemore Concludes Free Palestine Tour in London Amidst Protests and Support

American rapper Macklemore brought his Free Palestine Tour to a close in London, marking the end of a series of concerts aimed at raising awareness and funds for Palestinian communities. The event, which reportedly took place at the OVO Arena Wembley, saw over 12,500 people in attendance, making it a sold-out affair ¹².

This tour, however, was not without controversy. Macklemore had been previously removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour due to his vocal support for Palestine, with venues threatening to cancel their participation if he remained on the bill ¹. Despite these challenges, Macklemore continued to express his solidarity with the Palestinian cause, stating that it was more uncomfortable for him to stay silent than to speak out ¹.

The London concert featured a lineup of notable guests, including Greta Thunberg, Mark Ruffalo, and Susan Sarandon, who participated as speakers or performers ¹. These high-profile figures lent additional weight to Macklemore’s message, helping to amplify the call for support for Palestinian communities ¹.

Proceeds from the concerts held in Dublin, Paris, and London will be directed towards aiding Palestinian communities, reflecting the tour’s dual purpose of both entertainment and fundraising ¹. In Dublin, the tour kicked off with performances by Hozier and Kneecap, while the Paris leg included a diverse array of artists such as Aurora, DJ Habibeats, Pomme, Portugal The Man, Redvell, Siba, Tamer Nafar, Xiuhtezcati Martinez, and Zeyne ³.

During the London show, Macklemore performed popular tracks like Rudimental's 'These Days' and his own hit 'Can't Hold Us', alongside sharing his support for Palestinians and criticizing the dehumanization of people ³. Guest speakers at the event included Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Carice van Houten, and Francesca Albanese, adding further depth to the evening’s messages of solidarity and support ³.

The tour’s timing coincided with significant events in the region, with the death toll in Gaza exceeding 69,000 according to British Red Cross data, and nearly 1,200 Israelis having lost their lives in the October 7 attack in 2023 ¹. These stark statistics underscored the urgency of Macklemore’s mission to raise awareness and support for the Palestinian cause.

What We Know

• Macklemore concluded his Free Palestine Tour in London ¹²
• The event took place at OVO Arena Wembley ¹
• Over 12,500 people attended the sold-out concert ¹
• Macklemore was previously removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour due to expressing pro-Palestine views ¹
• Venues hosting the Loop Tour threatened to cancel if Macklemore remained on the bill ¹
• Greta Thunberg, Mark Ruffalo, Susan Sarandon, and other celebrities were guest speakers or participants in the concert ¹
• Proceeds from the concerts in Dublin, Paris, and London will support Palestinian communities ¹
• Hozier and Kneecap performed in Dublin during the tour ¹
• The Paris performance included artists such as Aurora, DJ Habibeats, Pomme, Portugal The Man, Redvell, Siba, Tamer Nafar, Xiuhtezcati Martinez, and Zey ³
• Macklemore performed songs like Rudimental's 'These Days' and his hit 'Can't Hold Us' ³
• Macklemore expressed support for Palestinians and criticized the dehumanization of people ³
• Guest speakers included Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Carice van Houten, and Francesca Albanese ³
• The tour started in Dublin on Monday with guest appearances from Hozier, Kneecap, and Boega ³
• The death toll in Gaza exceeded 69,000 according to British Red Cross data ¹
• Almost 1,200 Israelis were killed in the October 7 attack in 2023 ¹