Macklemore sets Free Palestine tour after Sheeran exit

Macklemore will headline three European shows under the name Free Palestine Tour in October, with all proceeds pledged to organisations supporting Palestinians.

The dates, reported by Rolling Stone, open in Dublin at 3Arena on 26 October. He then plays Paris at Accor Arena on 29 October and London at OVO Arena Wembley on 30 October.

The shows are headlining dates, meaning Macklemore is the main act rather than an opening act playing before a bigger star. He told fans to sign up for updates about the tour, and said additional artist announcements are coming soon. United States dates will be announced in the future.

His schedule had freed up. Macklemore set the new dates after his removal as an opening act on Ed Sheeran's stadium tour. The promoter for Sheeran's tour removed him, according to Rolling Stone. Sheeran has said the decision was not his, Reuters reported.

The removal followed comments about the occupied Palestinian territories. Macklemore said "free Palestine" during a show in New Jersey on 5 September, remarks that criticised Israeli government actions in Gaza. Macklemore has long been an outspoken supporter of the rights of Palestinians and those in Gaza.

Macklemore said businessman Robert Kraft told Sheeran he did not want Macklemore speaking out against Israel at the show. Sheeran has separately called Israel's treatment of Gazans "unjustifiable", according to Reuters.

Macklemore says he will donate the $1 million he earned from Sheeran's Loop Tour to six Palestinian organisations, the BBC reported. That pledge covers his fee from the Sheeran run.

For fans, this means three large-room shows with a clear purpose attached to the ticket. The money goes to Palestinian causes, the line-up may still grow, and American dates are still to come.