Macklemore announces Free Palestine Tour after Ed Sheeran fallout

Macklemore is turning his recent tour controversy into a new slate of benefit concerts.

The Grammy-winning rapper announced on Instagram⁠ Thursday, Sept. 24, that he will launch the Free Palestine Tour, beginning with three European arena shows in October. Additional performances, including dates in the United States, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

"So, as you all know, my schedule freed up a bit," Macklemore wrote, referencing his recent removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour.

"If these last couple of weeks have shown us anything, it's that something has shifted over the last three years. There has been a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation, the power of billionaires that try to censor that call, and what we expect from artists right now," Macklemore began his statement.

Due to how quickly the tour was organized, Macklemore prefaced that some details around the tour are still being sorted through.

The initial concerts are scheduled for Oct. 26 at Dublin's 3Arena, Oct. 29 at Paris' Accor Arena and Oct. 30 at OVO Arena Wembley in London. Artists joining Macklemore have not yet been revealed.

An artist presale is set to begin Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. local time, with general…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/