Macklemore Says Nine Major Arenas Blocked Free Palestine Tour Dates

Musician Macklemore stated on Friday that nine major arenas in the United States declined to host his Free Palestine benefit concert tour.

In an announcement published on social media, the artist said that multiple venues had initially offered available booking dates through the end of the year during discussions in mid-September. Macklemore said the venues revoked those dates after learning the performances were organized to benefit Palestinian relief organizations. The rapper identified nine venues that refused his bookings, including Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and UBS Arena in New York; Prudential Center in New Jersey; Crypto.com Arena, Intuit Dome, and Kia Forum in Los Angeles; Chase Center in San Francisco; and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

Macklemore stated that over two decades of touring, he had never encountered similar venue cancellations. A spokesperson for MSG Entertainment disputed the artist's characterization, stating that Madison Square Garden and its affiliated properties are among the world's busiest venues with limited calendar openings. The spokesperson added that Macklemore is not an arena-level act. Representatives for the Kia Forum did not immediately comment.

The U.S. tour proposal followed a three-date European series in October, where Macklemore performed in Dublin, London, and Paris. The Dublin performance at 3Arena featured appearances by Hozier, Kneecap, and Beoga. Macklemore launched the independent benefit series after promoters removed him as an opening act from singer Ed Sheeran's tour in August, following on-stage statements Macklemore made regarding the conflict in Gaza.