Macklemore 9 U.S. Venues: Arenas Reject Free Palestine Shows
Macklemore says nine U.S. arenas withdrew possible dates for his Free Palestine benefit shows after learning what the concerts would support. The venues named include Madison Square Garden and Chase Center. MSG Entertainment said its venues had limited availability and that Macklemore was not an arena-level act.
Rapper Macklemore said on November 6 that nine U.S. venues withdrew possible dates for his Free Palestine benefit shows after learning what the concerts would support. His claim about the macklemore 9 u.s venues concerns attempts to book new performances, not the cancellation of an announced American tour.
Macklemore said his team had received possible bookings through the end of 2026 by mid-September. The nine arenas he named are Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Prudential Center, UBS Arena, Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Crypto.com Arena, Chase Center and Climate Pledge Arena.
MSG Entertainment disputed his account of why its venue would not host a show. A spokesperson said, “We have some of the busiest venues in the world with extremely limited availability and he's not an arena level act.”
Macklemore argued that venue owners were using their control of concert spaces to influence which political causes artists could support. “Today it's Palestine. What will it be tomorrow?” he wrote.
He said he would continue organizing benefits with other artists and suggested future performances could take place outdoors. He has not announced new dates or locations.
The proposed U.S. shows follow a series of European benefit concerts billed as Macklemore & Friends, with guest musicians and speakers joining him. The run began at Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26, then moved to Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29 and London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30.
Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga appeared at the Dublin concert, alongside Palestinian singer Lina Makhoul and Palestinian American DJ Habibeats. Paloma Faith was among the performers in London.
OVO Arena Wembley said proceeds from its concert would benefit 12 organizations. Named recipients included Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, as well as the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace and the Institute for Middle East Understanding.
The benefit series followed Macklemore’s removal from the remaining opening dates on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour in September. Promoter Messina Touring Group said venue owners had warned that concerts could not proceed with Macklemore on the bill.
Sheeran said on September 15 that the promoter had made the decision. He said he had joined discussions with venue owners, promoters and activists in an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the dispute.
