Macklemore Brings Dead Prez & Kneecap To Dublin Benefit

Macklemore brought Hozier and Kneecap to Dublin’s 3Arena, as his “Free Palestine” concert series began with guest performances and appeals for aid.

The sold-out show drew up to 13,000 people, according to the BBC. Fans traveled from Belfast and Cork for the concert. Macklemore pledged the tour’s proceeds to organizations supporting Palestinians.

The Journal reported that actor Liam Cunningham welcomed the crowd before Palestinian singer Lina Makoul began the music.

DJ Habibeats, Dead Prez and Irish folk band Beoga also performed. A Gaza Children’s Choir performance appeared by video during the evening. Kneecap opened with “H.O.O.D.” as fans formed a mosh pit.

The beneficiaries included Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

Hozier performed “Too Sweet” and asked the Irish government to approve visas for 55 students in Gaza. He said the students had earned scholarship places in Ireland and directed fans toward a petition on the screen behind him.

Macklemore looked back at his exit from Sheeran’s tour. He thanked Hozier and Kneecap for saying yes when he called. “And how fitting that the first show would be in Ireland,” he said.

The tour followed his removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. dates after pro-Palestinian speeches at MetLife Stadium in September.

Sheeran said the tour organizers made the decision and later apologized for how he handled the dispute. Patriots owner Robert Kraft objected to the rapper’s appearance at Gillette Stadium, citing rhetoric and imagery he considered offensive to Jewish people.

Macklemore rejected that characterization, distinguishing criticism of Israel from hostility toward Jewish people and calling for equal treatment.

As AllHipHop previously reported, he had already returned to the stage at Colorado’s Red Rocks on October 22, where he also spoke against ICE.

Macklemore took the stage after 10 P.M., used water guns during “White Walls” and later changed into a Bohemians jersey.

His songs included “Same Love” and “Hind’s Hall.” For the encore, he sang a song he said he wrote a week earlier, then closed with “Can’t Hold Us.”

The benefit series continues in Paris on Thursday, October 29, then moves to London on Friday, October 30.