Macklemore was joined by Greta Thunberg, Paloma Faith and Nemahsis as his sold-out ‘Free Palestine Tour’ concluded in London last night (October 30).
- READ MORE:Nemahsis: “I always had to stand up for myself. It’s all I’ve ever known”
The concert at OVO Arena Wembley was the final date of the rapper’s three-show European benefit tour, which was organised after he was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US ‘Loop Tour’ for making pro-Palestinian statements on stage.
Around 10,000 people attended the London show, which featured performances from several artists alongside speeches from activists and campaigners, with proceeds going to 12 organisations supporting Palestinians.
Thunberg opened the evening with a speech
Thunberg opened the evening with a speech in which she praised the resilience of people in Gaza and urged attendees to continue campaigning beyond the concert.
She said that Palestinians had continued to celebrate their culture and support one another despite the devastation of the war, arguing that fundraising and solidarity also needed to be accompanied by political change.
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The Swedish activist warned that the “occupation will not end by philanthropy and slogans”, encouraging the audience to maintain their commitment to Palestinians after leaving the venue.
Thunberg had previously criticised Ed Sheeran’s response
Thunberg had previously criticised Ed Sheeran’s response to Macklemore’s removal from his tour, accusing the singer of lacking the courage to stand up to pressure from concert promoters and venue owners.
Among the evening’s other performers was Palestinian-Canadian singer Nemahsis, who spoke about her experience of being dropped by her record label in 2023 after publicly expressing support for Palestine.
“My existence is the strongest form of resistance,” she told the Wembley crowd.
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The singer, whose real name is Nemah Hasan, previously spoke toNMEfor The Cover about the difficulties she had faced in the music industry and her determination to continue speaking out.
Faith also performed at the concert, addressing
Faith also performed at the concert, addressing the audience about the concerns she had felt over publicly supporting the Palestinian cause.
The singer, who said she was seven months postpartum, reflected on her responsibility as a mother and argued that the safety of children in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen and Congo was just as important as that of her own family.
Other speakers included Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, who recalled experiencing the Nazi occupation of Budapest as a child, and Antoine Raffoul, who was displaced from Palestine during the Nakba in 1948.
Arab Barghouthi, the son of imprisoned Palestinian political
Arab Barghouthi, the son of imprisoned Palestinian political figure Marwan Barghouti, also addressed the audience, speaking about his father’s imprisonment and the importance of maintaining hope.
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Macklemore subsequently took to the stage for a headline set featuring songs including ‘Thrift Shop’, ‘Same Love’, ‘These Days’, ‘Glorious’ and ‘Can’t Hold Us’, alongside his pro-Palestine protest track ‘Hind’s Hall’.
He also referred to an unsuccessful attempt by 50 members of the House of Lords to prevent him from entering the UK.
The peers had urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
The peers had urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to block his visit over concerns about the Palestinian Youth Movement, one of the organisations benefiting from the tour. The group has denied allegations that it celebrates terrorism or has links to terrorist organisations.
Reflecting on his decision to speak publicly about Gaza, Macklemore told the crowd that he had reached a point where remaining silent had become more uncomfortable than speaking out.
He insisted: “I don’t believe that saying something is courageous. I believe that saying something is human.”
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The London concert followed the opening night
The London concert followed the opening night in Dublin on Monday (October 26), where Macklemore was joined by Hozier, Kneecap, Beoga and more.
The tour then visited Paris on Thursday (October 29), with Aurora, Pomme and Portugal. The Man among those performing.
Following his removal from Sheeran’s tour, Macklemore pledged his entire $1million earnings to six organisations supporting Palestinians.
All proceeds from the three ‘Free Palestine’ benefit shows will also support organisations including Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace and UNRWA USA.
