Macklemore answers the peers who sought to stop his Wembley show
MacklemoreMusician and subject of the case, speaking from the stage at the OVO Arena Wembley in London
Closing his Free Palestine concert series at Wembley Arena, Macklemore told the crowd that the night was a story of liberation and love, whatever the 50 Lords had said. Later in the set he said that speaking out about Gaza is not brave or courageous but human.
“This is a story tonight of love. And regardless of what them 50 Lords have to say, this is a story of equality for all human beings around this Earth.”
Reporting
Reporting
Other statements by Macklemore in this case
- Macklemore says the "billionaire class" should not decide "which voices are allowed on stage"Earlier: Defended or excused
- Macklemore repeats "free Palestine" at Red Rocks, his first show since his removalEarlier: Defended or excused
- Macklemore tells Dublin crowd the words "free Palestine" are "so threatening to some people"Earlier: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour
At two Ed Sheeran concerts at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine, accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, and said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people. After venue objections, tour promoter Messina Touring Group said he would not perform the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates. Critics characterized the performance as hostile or inappropriate; Macklemore defended it as a call for equal treatment.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
The Mirror US review of the final show of Macklemore's Free Palestine Tour at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on October 30, 2026, quoting Macklemore, Greta Thunberg, Paloma Faith and other guests.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
Evening Standard report on Macklemore's speech at the London stop of his Free Palestine Tour at the OVO Arena Wembley on October 30, 2026, with a quote from the Paris show the night before.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Macklemore took the stage after Greta Thunberg, Paloma Faith and other guests at the final show of his Free Palestine concert series. After thanking the other artists and speakers, he addressed recent calls for his London concert to be scrapped.
After the quotation
Later in the set he said he does not believe saying something is brave or courageous, but human, and he described the children of Gaza as our own children.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns Macklemore's Free Palestine speech at Ed Sheeran's concerts and his removal from the remaining U.S. dates. Macklemore dismisses the peers who sought to stop his London show and says speaking out is simply human, so we labeled it as defending the speech.
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More from this case
Read the full caseJack Antonoff says Ed Sheeran "missed a massive, beautiful opportunity" to cancel his tour
“They’re going to let some fucking promoter tell me what I can say? Don’t book me. I’ll play for free outside. [Ed Sheeran] missed a massive, beautiful opportunity there: just cancel the whole fucking tour, then play for free outside each venue, raise a bunch of money, rather than let a fucking billionaire tell you what to do.”Read statement
Jewish Voice for Peace says the backlash to Macklemore's removal shows support for pro-Palestine speech
Jewish Voice for Peace
“Two years into Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestine organizing, the backlash against Sheeran shows how little patience Americans have for attacks on pro-Palestine speech. It also demonstrates the shift toward support for Palestinian rights among everyday Americans that our movements have helped propel.”Read statement
Ari Emanuel criticizes Macklemore's MetLife speech in a Daily Show interview
“I don't think it was completely understanding the facts. And I think it was belittling to Jewish people, too.”Read statement
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- Macklemore answers the peers who sought to stop his Wembley show
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The Dispute Index. "Macklemore answers the peers who sought to stop his Wembley show". First published: 2026-10-31. Last updated: 2026-10-31. https://disputeindex.com/events/7547-closing-his-free-palestine-concert-series-at-wembley