Macklemore opens Dublin tour date with call for unity

Macklemore opened his “Free Palestine” tour in Dublin with a call for unity, telling the crowd that the phrase represented “love and liberation,” according to Variety. The rapper said the two words were “so threatening to some people.”

He described his message as a call for freedom, dignity and shared humanity, rather than one aimed at any group or a call for hatred. Macklemore also said music could give people a place to come together, share grief and stories, and resist.

What did Macklemore say at his Dublin Free Palestine show?

“Six weeks ago, it was two words,” Macklemore said, according to Variety. “Two words that are rooted in love and liberation.”

He said he wanted freedom and the right to live without fear for everyone, adding that “freedom that requires another person’s oppression is not freedom at all.” His remarks were his own view of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the response to his advocacy.

Hozier and Kneecap joined him as surprise guests during the Dublin date, Variety reported.

A three-city run after Ed Sheeran tour exit

The Dublin concert was the first of three planned shows, with Paris and London next. Variety reported that proceeds from the run were set to go to charities supporting Palestine.

The appearance came weeks after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s tour following pro-Palestinian remarks he made onstage.

Ed Sheeran said the decision was made by the tour promoter, not by him personally, according to the BBC. The BBC identified the promoter as Messina Touring Group.

Macklemore had also said he would donate $1 million in earnings from the Sheeran tour to Palestinian organizations, the BBC reported. The supplied reporting does not independently document the donation transfers.

This story draws on original reporting from Variety.