Macklemore Performs Sold-Out Palestine Benefit Concert in Dublin

The Dublin Benefit Launch

The sold-out performance in Dublin served as the opening night for a three-city series of charity concerts, with subsequent shows scheduled for Paris and London. Joining the Seattle rapper on stage were Hozier, the Belfast hip-hop trio KNEECAP, and the Irish folk band Beoga. The event also featured Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul, M1 of Dead Prez, and DJ Habibeats, a Palestinian-American producer. Tones And I and Mary Lambert also joined Macklemore during his set, with the latter guesting on the track "Same Love."

During the show, Macklemore expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the Irish music community when organizing the tour:

"It has been beautiful to watch the Irish people come together these last three years in solidarity. I’ve been so proud to watch overseas, to watch how you stepped up. I called a lot of people in the last six weeks and you know who picked up that phone right away and said yes? Hozier and Kneecap."

— Macklemore

Solidarity and Performances

Hozier performed a set that drew from a genre range including Soul and Blues Rock, playing hits such as "Too Sweet," "Work Song," "Take Me to Church," and "From Eden." He also performed "Swan Upon Leda" for the first time in three years. During his appearance, Hozier spoke about Ireland's long-standing tradition of activism:

"Ireland has a history of global solidarity when it comes to emancipation and justice. A wonderful history of anti-racism, also."

— Hozier

Hozier also utilized his time on stage to advocate for 55 students in Gaza who are currently awaiting visa approvals for scholarship positions they earned in Ireland, urging the government to resolve the application delays.

The group Kneecap performed a six-song set, including "The Recap," "Liars Tale," and "No Comment." They concluded their performance by thanking Ed Sheeran for his assistance in organizing the concert and reaffirmed their commitment to using their platform for advocacy:

"There’s still no ceasefire in Gaza. Until something changes, Kneecap, people like Macklemore, Hozier, will continue to use our platform for what we believe we can do."

— Kneecap frontman

Context and Tour Background

The Free Palestine Tour was organized following Macklemore’s removal from the North American leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour in September. The removal occurred after Macklemore voiced support for Gaza and the West Bank during a performance at MetLife Stadium. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, confirmed he had barred the rapper from Gillette Stadium due to these comments and what he described as a history of "antisemitic rhetoric and imagery." While Sheeran stated the decision was made by his promoter, several of his support acts, including Beoga, quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Macklemore, who has topped the Billboard Hot 100 twice with "Thrift Shop" and "Can’t Hold Us," reflected on the consequences of his statements before closing the Dublin show:

"Six weeks ago, it was two words. Two words is all that it took. Two words that are rooted in love and liberation. Not against anybody, not divisive. Not a call for hatred. But a call to recognize our shared humanity. Free Palestine. The same thing that I want for all of us, freedom, dignity, the right to exist without fear."

— Macklemore

Macklemore has pledged $1 million in net earnings from this tour to various aid organizations. The beneficiaries include Anera, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Jewish Voice for Peace, UNRWA USA, the Palestinian Youth Movement, Heal Palestine, and Gaza Soup Kitchen.

Guest Speakers and Global Messages

The event featured several prominent guest speakers. Actor Liam Cunningham delivered the opening remarks at the 3Arena:

"Enjoying tonight does not mean forgetting about the suffering in Gaza. It means celebrating the humanity and life that Palestinians have fought so hard to protect."

— Liam Cunningham

Psychotherapist Nadia Greenspan and activist Samir Eskanda also addressed the crowd. Additionally, remote video messages of support were played from celebrities including Mark Ruffalo, Julian Casablancas, Cynthia Nixon, Ilana Glazer, and Natasha Rothwell.

The concert took place amid ongoing conflict; while a ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, 2025, reports from The Associated Press indicate that over 1,100 people have been killed in Gaza since that date. The total Palestinian death toll since October 2023 has risen to more than 74,000.

The sold-out tour continues this week at the Accor Arena in Paris on Thursday, October 29, and concludes at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on Friday, October 30.