Macklemore’s newly announced “Free Palestine Tour” is drawing criticism from the Jewish Leadership Council in the United Kingdom, which has called on concert promoter Live Nation to explain its decision to promote the rapper’s upcoming Wembley show.

The dispute comes shortly after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour following controversy over pro-Palestinian remarks he made onstage. Sheeran has said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter, while Macklemore has alleged that pressure from stadium owners contributed to his removal. 

Macklemore responded to the controversy by announcing the “Free Palestine Tour,” initially comprising three European concerts: Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29 and OVO Arena Wembley in London on October 30. Additional dates, including shows in the United States, are expected to be announced. 

All proceeds from the concerts are set to benefit organizations supporting Palestinians through humanitarian assistance, medical care, advocacy and other initiatives. Beneficiaries announced for the tour include Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, UNRWA USA and Jewish Voice for Peace, among others. 

Jewish Leadership Council challenges Live Nation

The announcement has prompted pushback from the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), which said Macklemore has a right to advocate for Palestinians but argued that aspects of his previous performances warrant scrutiny.

“Live Nation’s decision to promote a Macklemore concert at Wembley raises serious concerns,” the organization said in the statement shown in its social-media post. “Macklemore is entitled to advocate for Palestinian rights. However, concerns arising from the imagery that he has used and material in his recent performances must be taken seriously.”

The JLC said it had previously challenged Live Nation over its decision to book Kanye West for Wireless and is now asking the concert promoter to explain how it assessed concerns surrounding Macklemore’s event.

“We now ask Live Nation to explain how they assessed the concerns about this event, and what steps they will take to ensure that Jewish audiences and staff feel safe and welcome,” the organization said.

Live Nation UK is currently advertising the October 30 concert at OVO Arena Wembley, with presale scheduled for September 29 and general ticket sales beginning September 30. 

Macklemore says artists should ‘show up’

Macklemore has framed the new tour as both a fundraising effort and a response to the controversy surrounding his removal from Sheeran’s tour.

In announcing the concerts, the Grammy-winning rapper said there had been a “collective awakening around Palestinian liberation” over the past three years and criticized what he described as attempts by wealthy interests to silence artists advocating for Palestinians. 

“It’s 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore,” Macklemore said, using his characterization of the war. He argued that audiences increasingly expect musicians to educate themselves, engage with their communities and use their platforms for causes beyond entertainment. 

Macklemore also argued that the dispute surrounding his removal from Sheeran’s tour extended beyond his individual circumstances, saying questions should be raised when powerful venue owners can determine which performers appear on major stages. 

The controversy began after Macklemore used a September 4 appearance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to voice support for Palestinians. Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, subsequently said Macklemore would not be permitted to perform at that venue, citing what Kraft described as the artist’s history of “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.” Macklemore has rejected accusations of antisemitism. 

Sheeran has distanced himself from the decision to remove Macklemore, saying it was made by the promoter. During a subsequent concert, Sheeran described the October 7 attacks in Israel as horrific and the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable,” while emphasizing his desire for his concerts to bring people together. 

The dispute now places Live Nation and the Wembley concert at the center of a broader debate over political expression by artists, allegations of antisemitism, advocacy for Palestinian rights and the responsibilities of major concert promoters.

Despite the JLC’s objections, the London concert remains scheduled for October 30, 2026, at OVO Arena Wembley, according to Live Nation’s current event listing.