Macklemore Hits Out at 'Billionaire Class' Over Stage Row as Israeli Journalist Calls Him 'Terrorist Fan Boy'

American rapper Macklemore has criticised what he described as the 'billionaire class' after being removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour, announcing a new Free Palestine concert series in Europe for October.

Macklemore announced the tour on Thursday, 24 September, with shows confirmed in Dublin, Paris and London. Further US dates and additional performers are expected to be announced later, while proceeds will benefit organisations supporting Palestinians.

The announcement follows Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's Loop Tour after he made pro-Palestinian remarks during a 4 September performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Israeli-American journalist Emily Schrader subsequently described Macklemore as a 'terrorist fan boy' in a social media response to the latest announcement.

Macklemore Launches Free Palestine Tour

Macklemore said the new concerts would allow him to continue speaking about Palestinian issues while raising funds for organisations providing humanitarian and other support.

In his announcement, he argued that the dispute over his removal from Sheeran's tour had exposed the influence of wealthy figures over who is allowed to perform on major stages. He said artists were increasingly being expected to use their platforms to address political and social issues.

He also argued that remaining publicly apolitical during the Gaza conflict was no longer sustainable and said he wanted to use live performances for advocacy as well as entertainment.

The European leg will begin at Dublin's 3Arena on 26 October, followed by Paris on 29 October and London's OVO Arena Wembley on 30 October. The concerts will feature Macklemore alongside other artists and friends, although the additional performers have not yet been announced.

Sheeran Tour Fallout Continues

The dispute began when Macklemore called for a 'Free Palestine' and performed his protest song Hind's Hall during Sheeran's MetLife Stadium shows.

He had been scheduled to appear at eight further US shows but was subsequently removed after venue owners told tour promoter Messina Touring Group they would not allow him to perform. Sheeran later said the decision came from the promoter and venues, not from him personally, and that he had tried to resolve the dispute.

Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, separately confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at the Massachusetts venue. Kraft cited what he described as the rapper's recent actions and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Macklemore has denied being antisemitic and disputed the characterisation of his criticism of Israel.

Macklemore had also previously pledged $1 million from his net earnings from the Sheeran tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.

Four Acts Also Leave Sheeran Tour

The fallout continued after Macklemore's removal, with four other supporting acts withdrawing from the remaining US dates.

Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga all announced that they would no longer perform. Their decisions followed the controversy over Macklemore's removal, although the artists gave their own reasons for withdrawing.

Sheeran later addressed the controversy at a Philadelphia concert, apologising for what he described as mistakes and saying the situation had placed him in a wider debate over freedom of expression and the Gaza conflict. He also described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable.

Macklemore's new tour now gives him a separate platform for his political advocacy, with the first three European dates confirmed and further North American shows still to be announced.