Photo: Collected
US rapper Macklemore had been dropped as an opening act at Ed Sheeran’s concerts for speaking in favour of Palestine. Now he has announced a concert tour of his own. The solo music tour, named ‘Free Palestine’, will begin in Europe next month.
In a recent message posted on Instagram, the Grammy-winning artiste said the tour would begin with performances in Dublin in Ireland, Paris in France and London in the United Kingdom. The dates of the concerts in the United States and the names of other artistes will be announced later. He also confirmed that a large portion of the tour’s proceeds would be donated to various organisations working for the Palestinian people.
In the post, Macklemore said there is no longer any scope to remain silent or politically neutral in a situation like genocide. People across the world now expect awareness and an active role from artistes. When attempts are made to silence someone for raising the demand for Palestine’s freedom, the stage must be made a tool of protest instead of being kept merely a place of entertainment.
Earlier, while performing at Ed Sheeran’s concert in New Jersey, Macklemore made a strong statement from the stage in favour of Palestine’s freedom. Soon afterwards, he was dropped from eight more scheduled shows of that tour. Macklemore claims the decision was taken because of objections from the owners of the stadiums where the shows were due to be held.
Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran said in a statement that the decision to drop Macklemore was that of the organising authorities, not his own. At an event in Philadelphia, he termed the Israeli attacks on Gaza unjustified and also apologised for not being able to handle the situation.
Macklemore has been vocal for the past several years against Israeli aggression and in favour of Palestine’s freedom. In his view, when a big billionaire group decides whose voice will be heard on stage and who will be censored, the matter no longer remains confined to one artiste or one stage; it becomes a matter of concern for every ordinary person.
