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Kneecap And Hozier Join Macklemore For 'Free Palestine' Dublin Gig

By Louise Ducrocq
27/10/2026
Est. Reading: 3 minutes

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Macklemore. Photo credit: Ben Houdijk, Shutterstock
Macklemore. Photo credit: Ben Houdijk, Shutterstock

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Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga were among the Irish acts who joined Macklemore for his Free Palestine tour show at Dublin's 3Arena on Monday night.

The concert brought together musicians, actors and activists in support of Palestine, with all proceeds from the tour set to go to organisations supporting Palestinians and the Palestinian movement.

The Dublin gig was the first of three European dates, with Macklemore due to perform in Paris on Thursday before heading to London on Friday.


@dimionf @Macklemore ✊ #macklemore #freepalestinetour #macklemooretour #macklemoredublin ♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος - dimionf

Addressing the crowd, the US rapper reflected on the controversy surrounding his outspoken support for Palestine in recent weeks.

“Six weeks ago, it was two words,” he said, referring to his comments during an Ed Sheeran concert in New Jersey.

“Two words is all that it took. Two words that are rooted in love and liberation. Not against anybody, not divisive. Not a call for hatred. But a call to recognise our shared humanity.

 

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“Free Palestine. I said free Palestine! The same thing that I want for all of us, freedom, dignity, the right to exist without fear.

“Being able to raise our children in the homes that we grew up in, not having to prove our humanity to the rest of the world.”

The crowd cheered as he continued: “Somehow, those words have become more controversial than the suffering that made them necessary.

“That's why we're here tonight.”

 

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Irish band Beoga also addressed the audience, with the group reportedly telling the crowd: “The times are changing, we've never been prouder to be from the country we're from.”

Hozier spoke about Ireland's history of international solidarity, particularly when it comes to emancipation and justice.

He also praised the country's history of anti-racism.

hozier3

Kneecap were among the other Irish acts to take to the stage, with the trio highlighting that there is still no ceasefire in Gaza.

The group said they would “continue to use our platform for what we believe we need to do”.

 

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Actor Liam Cunningham delivered the opening remarks at the concert, reminding the audience that enjoying the evening did not mean forgetting the suffering in Gaza.

“Enjoying tonight does not mean forgetting about the suffering in Gaza,” he said.

“It means celebrating the humanity and life that Palestinians have fought so hard to protect.”

Other special guests included Palestinian singer-songwriter Lina Makoul, Dead Prez rapper M-1 and Palestinian-American DJ and producer Habibeats.

Video messages were also shared by actors Mark Ruffalo, Cynthia Nixon and Natasha Rothwell, The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas and comedian Ilana Glazer.

 

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Macklemore had promised “many incredible surprise guests” ahead of the Dublin show.

The Grammy-winning rapper, best known for hits including Thrift Shop, Can't Hold Us and Same Love, announced the tour after being removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour in September.

Ed Sheeran. Photo credit: Miguel Angel Lopez Rojas, Shutterstock
Ed Sheeran. Photo credit: Miguel Angel Lopez Rojas, Shutterstock

The decision followed Macklemore's comments in support of Palestinians during a concert in New Jersey.

Sheeran subsequently clarified that the decision to remove the rapper had been made by the tour promoter, rather than by him.

 

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Beoga and fellow Irish act Aaron Rowe were among the performers who subsequently withdrew from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

The Free Palestine tour brings together artists who have used their platforms to express support for Palestinians, with the Dublin show drawing a strong response from the audience at the 3Arena.

Louise Ducrocq

Written by Louise Ducrocq

Louise is an expert content creator, and online author for Radio Nova. She's evolved in a few different fields, including mental health and travel, and is now excited to be part of the wonderful word of Radio.

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