Macklemore ‘blown away’ by insane response to three-show tour amid Ed Sheeran controversy
Macklemore has been “blown away” by the response to his upcoming Free Palestine tour, after he was dragged into the ongoing controversy with Ed Sheeran.
The 43-year-old rapper, who was dropped from the singer’s The Loop tour over his ‘Free Palestine’ comments, revealed that his own upcoming tour sold out immediately.
Macklemore has been “blown away” but the incredible response to his Free Palestine tour off the back of the Ed Sheeran controversy. Getty
Controversy kicked off last month when Macklemore made the comments, which led to him being removed from the remaining concerts on Sheeran’s schedule.
In a show of solidarity, all of Sheeran’s opening acts including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and his own backing band Beoga, announced they would also be leaving the tour with Macklemore.
Sheeran has since apologised and issued a statement, but it seems as though the fans have responded with a surge of support towards Macklemore.
Alongside a poster of the tour dates, the Thrift Shop hitmaker admitted he was stunned by the response to his tour.
“All three shows sold out immediately,” the post started.
“I’m honestly blown away. We put these shows together fast and in community, believing that musicians can stand in solidarity with Palestine, use the stage to raise funds and show what collective action can look like. When those in power try to silence our calls for liberation, art will always be a form of resistance.
“Dublin, Paris and London, thank you for showing up the way you did. The response to these shows is another reminder of how many people across the world are standing together for a free Palestine.
“Lineups coming soon. Can’t wait to be together.”
The three tour dates sold out “immediately” which Macklemore shared online with his fans. Instagram/@macklemore
The three show Macklemore & Friends: Free Palestine tour was only announced last week, with shows in Dublin, Paris and London.
The tour is set to kick off in October, and when he announced it Macklemore referenced the recent controversy with Sheeran.
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention,' he wrote in part in his announcement.
“So, as you all know, my schedule freed up a bit.”
Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop’ tour is embroiled in controversy following the removal of Macklemore (right). Getty
The controversy surrounding the removal of Macklemore from the tour has done nothing but cause more problems for Sheeran, who made a tearful return to the stage late last month in his first show back.
The singer broke down in tears as he addressed the crowd, and the situation that had unfolded in recent days.
“In these situations you really find out who your friends are. It’s been a weird week,” he told the crowd in a video captured by a fan at the Lincoln Financial Field show.
“It happened very quickly. At the same time, I had so many people telling me to cancel this tour and so many people I’ve known for years and years and years they’re kind of backing away.”
Sheeran, who was clearly emotional, explained that people close to him had urged him to cancel the show.
Sheeran broke down in tears during his first show back after days of headlines, admitting those close to him urged him to cancel the concert. Instagram/teddysphotos
“Everyone’s telling me to cancel and I’m feeling all of my friends and family and people I know abandon me.”
But ultimately, Sheeran said he was there for his fans.
Despite being dropped from the tour for his comments, Macklemore has doubled down.
Aside from a $1 million donation to charity, which he urged New England Patriot’s owner, Robert Kraft, to do the same after it was reported he was the one who pushed for Macklemore to be booted from the tour, the rapper has continued to advocate for Palestine.
