By Islam El-Sakka
US rapper Macklemore said he was “overwhelmed with gratitude and awe” after finishing his Free Palestine Tour with a final show at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on 30 October.
Tour background and final performance
The 43-year-old artist, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, announced the three-city tour in September after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour over comments he made about Gaza. The concerts in London, Paris and Dublin sold out immediately, with all proceeds directed to organisations providing medical care, humanitarian aid, education and advocacy for Palestinians.
Following the London finale, Macklemore posted on Instagram thanking performers, speakers and attendees, calling the tour his “favourite thing I’ve ever been a part of.” He wrote that advocating for Palestinian life and freedom remains controversial, but the tour reaffirmed the power of collective voices.
Artist reactions and on‑stage remarks
Paloma Faith, who performed in London, commented that the event made her feel less alone in witnessing “a terrible injustice,” while rock band Garbage praised Macklemore as “a beautiful human.” During the show, Macklemore told the crowd he reached a point where staying silent was more uncomfortable than speaking out, adding that saying something is not brave but human.
The rapper, known for hits such as “Thrift Shop” and “Same Love,” described the five weeks of organising as intense but said the experience felt like a beautiful step toward rekindling hope.
