Brief
Macklemore, Hozier and Kneecap headline sold‑out Free Palestine benefit in Dublin
The Dublin concert opened a three‑city series that will continue in Paris and London.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Macklemore kicked off his Free Palestine benefit concert series on Oct. 26 at Dublin's 3Arena, joined onstage by Hozier, Irish folk‑rap group Kneecap and a roster of guests.
What happened
The sold‑out show featured performances by Macklemore, Hozier, Kneecap, Irish folk band Beoga, singer‑songwriter Lina Makoul, M1 of Dead Prez and DJ Habibeats. Special guests included actor Liam Cunningham, activist Nadia Greenspan and artist Samir Eskanda, while remote appearances were made by Mark Ruffalo, Julian Casablancas, Cynthia Nixon, Ilana Glazer and Natasha Rothwell. The event is the first of a three‑city run that will move to Paris' Accor Arena on Oct. 29 and finish in London.
What the reports add
Billboard notes that the tour raises money for twelve Palestinian humanitarian organisations, including Anera, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Jewish Voice for Peace and UNRWA USA, as named when the series was announced in September. The outlet also links the tour’s origin to Macklemore’s abrupt exit from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after he shouted “Free Palestine” at MetLife Stadium, an incident that led to his removal from subsequent U.S. dates by stadium owner Robert Kraft.
What was said
During his MetLife Stadium stop, Macklemore told the crowd “Free Palestine” and later pledged to donate his $1 million net earnings from the tour to Palestinian aid groups. He also said Robert Kraft barred him from Gillette Stadium because of those remarks; Kraft confirmed the ban, citing concerns over “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.”
How it came about
The benefit series grew out of the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s North American leg, which prompted several support acts, including Beoga, to quit the tour in solidarity. Felo previously covered the tour’s sold‑out status and the criticism of Ed Sheeran by Jack Antonoff.
Key facts
- Macklemore, Hozier and Kneecap performed at a sold‑out benefit concert in Dublin's 3Arena on Oct. 26. (billboard.com)
- All proceeds from the three‑city European tour will be donated to twelve Palestinian humanitarian organisations. (billboard.com)
- The tour originated after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour for shouting "Free Palestine" at MetLife Stadium. (billboard.com)
Timeline
- 2026-09-14 — Robert Kraft bans Macklemore from Ed Sheeran tour after pro‑Palestine remarks.
- 2026-09-30 — Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour; tickets sell out instantly.
- 2026-10-26 — Dublin benefit concert kicks off the three‑city series.
Sources
- [1] billboard.com — originally reported as “Macklemore, Hozier and Kneecap Play Sold-Out Free Palestine Benefit Concert in Dublin”
