3,000 Tickets: Macklemore Sells Out Dublin Arena for Benefit

Macklemore performed to a full house at the 3Arena in Dublin on Monday night, marking the start of his new concert series. The event sold out quickly and served as a benefit for organizations supporting Palestine. The lineup was kept secret until the night of the show, a decision made by the organizers to keep the focus on the cause rather than the artists.

The concert featured a mix of musical and political figures. On stage were Irish singer Hozier, the Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, and Palestinian-American DJ Habibeats. Palestinian singer Lina Makoul and rapper M1 of Dead Prez also performed. Boega, the backing band that left Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore, closed the set.

Special guest speakers included Irish actor Liam Cunningham, activist Nadia Greenspan, and artist Samir Eskanda. Cunningham addressed the crowd directly, stating that enjoying the music did not mean forgetting the suffering in Gaza. He described the night as a celebration of the humanity and life that Palestinians have worked to protect.

The Dublin show was the first of three sold-out performances in the series. The tour continues at Paris’ Accor Arena on October 29. It concludes at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 30. All proceeds from these three nights will go to groups providing medical supplies, food, and humanitarian assistance in Palestine.

A press release for the tour noted that the selected organizations also focus on education, community support, and advocacy for policy change. The release stated that the tour centers on the Palestinian families, children, and healthcare workers affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Macklemore’s departure from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour occurred last month. The split followed Macklemore’s pro-Palestine speeches during his opening sets for Sheeran. Messina Touring Group, the promoter for Sheeran, announced the removal after venues threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. The promoter said the move was necessary to prevent the cancellation of the U.S. tour and the impact on hundreds of thousands of fans.

Sheeran addressed the controversy onstage during his own tour. He said he did not want to be seen as an activist musician but felt caught in a debate over freedom of speech. He expressed worry that venues were pre-approving content for performances, a practice he said should not happen in the free world.

In announcing his own tour, Macklemore wrote on Instagram that the events of the past few weeks showed a shift in public sentiment. He argued that being apolitical during a genocide is no longer an acceptable stance for artists in 2026. He said fans are now expecting musicians to use their stages to educate audiences and support community movements.