Guest performers join the Dublin launch
The opening night brought together Irish and Palestinian performers. According to Rolling Stone, surprise guests included Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, Belfast rap trio Kneecap and Irish folk band Beoga, which had left Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul, Dead Prez rapper M-1 and Palestinian-American DJ Habibeats also performed, Rolling Stone reported.
The split from Sheeran's tour
Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's Loop Tour on Sept. 14, 2026, followed pro-Palestine statements at two New Jersey performances earlier that month. According to Wikipedia's account of the controversy, all remaining opening acts had withdrawn in solidarity by Sept. 15, including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Beoga.
That account describes a 40-minute phone call in which Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft told Sheeran that he and fellow NFL owners Arthur Blank, David Tepper and Jeffrey Lurie regarded Macklemore's comments as hate speech. Kraft said they would cancel shows at their venues if Macklemore remained on the tour.
On Sept. 16, Macklemore pledged $1 million to six organizations supporting Palestinians, an amount representing all of his net earnings from Sheeran's tour. He challenged Kraft to match the pledge; Kraft announced his own $2 million donation that day, according to Wikipedia.
Proceeds designated for Palestinian-support groups
Rolling Stone reported that the Free Palestine Tour's proceeds will go to organizations supporting the Palestinian movement. The recipients include Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestinian Youth Movement, Heal Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Jewish Voices for Peace and the UNRWA USA National Committee.
The tour follows an earlier music-related donation. According to Wikipedia's account, Macklemore released "Hind's Hall" in May 2024 to support the Gaza solidarity protests at Columbia University and donated all profits from the song to UNRWA.
Paris and London dates next
The sold-out tour is scheduled to reach Paris's Accor Arena on Oct. 29, 2026, followed by OVO Arena Wembley in London on Oct. 30. US dates will be announced later, Rolling Stone reported.
