Macklemore launches Dublin tour

Macklemore kicked off a new concert series in Dublin on Monday, following his removal from Ed Sheeran's US tour schedule. The American artist framed the European leg as a continuation of his vocal support for Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The 3Arena in Dublin hosted a sold out crowd of 13,000 attendees. Tickets for the performance were reported to have sold out within minutes of going on sale. Audience members displayed Palestinian flags, keffiyeh scarves, and jerseys in the national colors of black, red, and green throughout the venue.

Macklemore waved a Palestinian flag during much of his musical set. He addressed the audience directly, stating, "I am proud to stand here on stage in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We will continue to fight for collective liberation until our last breath."

The rapper revisited the controversy that led to his departure from Sheeran's bill. He referenced an incident at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey six weeks prior, where he used the phrase "Free Palestine" and criticized Israeli government actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Macklemore noted, "Six weeks ago, two words is all that it took," arguing that the phrase has become more controversial to some than the suffering that prompted it.

The evening featured several Irish musicians who have previously voiced criticism of Israel's military operations. Performers included Hozier, the rap group Kneecap, and Beoga. Beoga had previously left Sheeran's tour to show solidarity with Macklemore. Palestinian singer Lina Makhoul and Palestinian American DJ Habibeats also took the stage, with Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham speaking between sets.

Sheeran's team previously indicated that stadium owners threatened to cancel remaining US dates if Macklemore remained on the bill. The global tour will now proceed to Paris and London later this week, with additional US dates to be announced in the future.

Palestinian authorities report that more than 74,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault on Gaza. The offensive began after Hamas-led fighters killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials maintain that their actions in Gaza do not constitute genocide.