Getting a benefit concert into some of America's biggest arenas has become an unexpected battle for Macklemore. The Seattle rapper says nine major venues have rejected his attempts to bring the Free Palestine Tour to the United States, despite initially discussing available dates. He believes the decision has everything to do with the concert's political message, though Madison Square Garden offers a very different explanation.
In a lengthy Instagram statement, shared Friday (Nov. 6), Macklemore detailed his team's unsuccessful attempts to book American shows following sold-out performances in Dublin, Paris, and London. He identified Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, UBS Arena, and Prudential Center among the venues that turned him down. The list also included Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, Intuit Dome, and Kia Forum, along with Chase Center in San Francisco and Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena.
According to Macklemore, his team received available dates through the end of 2026 during discussions in September. Those opportunities allegedly disappeared once the venues learned the concerts would benefit organizations supporting Palestinians. "In over twenty years of touring, I've never experienced anything like this," he wrote.
The rapper accused wealthy venue owners of using their influence to discourage political speech, arguing that artists who publicly support Palestine face professional consequences. He also questioned the limits of free expression when private businesses control where musicians can perform.
Read More: Macklemore Announces “Free Palestine Tour” After Ed Sheeran Exit
Madison Square Garden Disputes Macklemore's Claims
Madison Square Garden wasn't interested in accepting Macklemore's characterization of the situation. In a statement to Reuters, MSG Entertainment said its venues have extremely limited availability and described Macklemore as "not an arena-level act." The response raises a separate question about whether the bookings were rejected for commercial reasons or because of the concerts' message. Macklemore's account suggests the latter, but the booking discussions and reasons behind each venue's decision have not been independently established. The other venues have not publicly provided detailed explanations.
The dispute follows an earlier confrontation over his participation in Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour. In September, Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates after delivering pro-Palestinian remarks and performing "Hind's Hall" during shows at MetLife Stadium. Concert promoter Messina Touring Group said venues had warned that they would not host Sheeran's concerts with Macklemore on the lineup.
Sheeran later maintained that the decision belonged to the promoter and venues, not him. Several supporting acts withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, while New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft acknowledged barring the rapper from performing at Gillette Stadium. Kraft cited concerns about what he considered antisemitic rhetoric and imagery, an accusation Macklemore has disputed.
That experience ultimately inspired the Free Palestine Tour, which Macklemore announced in September with proceeds supporting Palestinian humanitarian organizations. The three European concerts went ahead, demonstrating that he could organize the benefit performances outside the United States.
Despite the booking difficulties in the U.S., Macklemore isn't abandoning the effort. He says he'll continue working with artists and organizers to arrange additional shows. This will potentially move the concerts outdoors rather than relying on traditional arenas.
Read More: Macklemore Responds After Petition Calls For His Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour
