Hozier, Kneecap join Macklemore at sold-out launch of Free Palestine tour

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) – Irish artists Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga joined US rapper Macklemore as surprise guests Monday at the sold-out opening of his Free Palestine tour in Dublin.

The concert at the 13,000-capacity 3Arena marked the first European date of the benefit tour Macklemore organized after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour over his public support for Palestine.

“I am proud to stand here on stage in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Macklemore told the audience. “We will continue to fight for collective liberation until our last breath.”

Palestinian flags and keffiyehs were visible throughout the arena as the audience repeatedly chanted “Free Palestine.”

“Six weeks ago, two words is all that it took,” Macklemore said, referring to the declaration that led to his removal from Sheeran’s remaining concerts.

“Those two words are so threatening to some people that we’d rather silence those two words than confront what they actually mean,” he said. “Somehow those words have become more controversial than the suffering that made them necessary.”

Macklemore was joined by Palestinian singer Lina Makoul, Palestinian American DJ Habibeats and the US political hip-hop group Dead Prez, alongside Irish performers Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga.

Actors Mark Ruffalo and Cynthia Nixon and the Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas also appeared in recorded video messages.

Hozier performed some of his best-known songs, including Take Me to Church and Too Sweet. Screens behind him displayed a QR code linking to a petition for 55 Palestinian students from Gaza who reportedly have been unable to obtain visas to study in Ireland.

Irish-language rap group Kneecap drew one of the strongest reactions of the night. Opening their appearance with a pointed reference to Macklemore’s removal, a member of the group jokingly thanked Sheeran for “organising this concert.”

Beoga, who performed on Sheeran’s hit Galway Girl, also appeared after withdrawing from his tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

The rapper performed tracks including Thrift Shop, Same Love and Chant, as well as Hind’s Hall, his 2024 protest song supporting Palestinians and the student-led Gaza solidarity movement.

The Dublin concert was the first of three announced European performances, followed by shows in Paris on Thursday and London on Friday. All three dates sold out.

Proceeds will support organizations providing Palestinians with medical care, humanitarian assistance, education and community services.

Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s tour after declaring “Free Palestine” and criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in September.

Several other performers subsequently withdrew from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity. Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made after promoters were told venues would not permit further concerts with the rapper on the bill.