Macklemore says 9 US venues turned down 'Free Palestine' tour
What's the story
American rapper Macklemore has accused several prominent American arenas of refusing to host his Free Palestine tour. The artist, who recently performed in Dublin, Paris, and London at the end of October, claimed that venues including New York City's Madison Square Garden and New Jersey's Prudential Center turned him down. He alleged these rejections were due to his benefit shows for Palestine.
Social media statement
'I'd rather lose every opportunity...'
In his Instagram post, Macklemore wrote, "By mid-September we received available dates at these arenas through the end of the year."
"But once they found out these were my benefit shows for Palestine, those dates were suddenly off the table."
"In over 20 years of touring, I've never experienced anything like this."
"I'd rather lose every opportunity in this industry than spend another day protecting people who value their business relationships with Israel more than they value Palestinian human life."
Tour details
About Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' tour
Macklemore's Free Palestine tour is a benefit concert series with proceeds going to organizations supporting Palestinians.
Meanwhile, some other arenas that have turned him down are Barclays Center, Crypto.com Arena, UBS Arena, Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Chase Center, and Climate Pledge Arena.
Venue response
Madison Square Garden responds to rapper's allegations
A spokesperson for Madison Square Garden responded to Macklemore's allegations.
They told Variety, "We have some of the busiest venues in the world with extremely limited availability, and he's not an arena-level act."
This development comes after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour in September due to his pro-Palestine comments during his opening set at MetLife Stadium.
Other openers and Sheeran's backing band had quit in solidarity with him.