Macklemore is heading to Dublin’s 3Arena on Monday 26 October for a one-off Free Palestine gig, with every cent of the proceeds going to organisations supporting Palestinians. Dublin is the first stop on a short European run that also takes in the Accor Arena in Paris on 29 October and OVO Arena Wembley in London the following night, with US dates promised later.
The tour comes weeks after Macklemore was dropped as the opening act on Ed Sheeran’s world tour following comments he made on stage in support of Palestine. Rather than keep quiet, he has spent the time since calling round artists who have used their own platforms to stand with Palestinians and lining up a series of shows billed as Macklemore and Friends. In his announcement he said that staying apolitical during a genocide no longer works for artists, and it’s hard to read this tour as anything other than him doubling down.
Macklemore Free Palestine tour Dublin date and details
The Dublin show takes place at the 3Arena on Monday 26 October, with doors at 6.30pm. It’s promoted by MCD, standing is 14+, and anyone under 16 must be with an adult. Other artists will perform on the night, although none have been confirmed yet, with Macklemore saying the lineup and details are still being worked out given how quickly the whole thing came together.
How much are Macklemore 3Arena tickets?
Tickets cost €67.65 or €77.20, plus a 12.5% Ticketmaster service charge per ticket capped at €10.50. General sale opens on Wednesday 30 September at 10am, and you can buy Macklemore 3Arena tickets on Ticketmaster Ireland (https://www.ticketmaster.ie/macklemore-tickets/artist/5238195).
If you want a head start, there’s an artist presale from Monday 28 September at 10am for anyone who signs up on the official Macklemore website and an MCD presale runs ahead of general sale too.
Three+ presale gives Three customers early access
Here’s the bit Three Ireland customers will like. Because it’s the 3Arena, Three+ members get exclusive early access to tickets before the general public, which is genuinely good news for Three customers given how quickly a gig like this is likely to shift.
Three+ presale usually opens 48 hours before general sale. To get in on it, register for Three+ through the app or website, then text MUSIC to 51020 to receive presale alerts and your unique code, which you then use on Ticketmaster. You need to be 18 or over to register, and Three broadband customers can get their code by email. Full details are on the Three+ 3Arena presale page.
Presale tickets are limited and sold on a first come, first served basis, so log on early. Three+ members can also use the Three+ Lounge at the 3Arena on the night, which is a handy place to escape the queues before the show.
Will Kneecap play the Macklemore Dublin gig?
Nothing has been announced, but I’d wager it’s almost certain Kneecap will play. A Free Palestine show in Dublin, built around artists who have used their stages to stand with Palestinians regardless of the consequences, and the Belfast trio not on the bill? I can’t see it. The timing works too. Kneecap wrap up their Latin American tour in São Paulo on 23 October and aren’t due on stage again until Luxembourg on 6 November, leaving them free on the night of the 3Arena show. Macklemore has said artist announcements are coming soon, so we’ll know shortly whether I’m right.
Can’t go? The charities the Free Palestine tour supports
If Macklemore’s music isn’t your thing, or you miss out on tickets, you can still make a difference far beyond the gig itself by donating directly to the organisations the tour is raising money for. Between them, they cover medical care, food and humanitarian aid, education, community support and advocacy.
On the medical side, there’s Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine and Glia, which develops low-cost medical equipment. For food and humanitarian aid, the Gaza Soup Kitchen runs community kitchens in Gaza, while Anera (), the Middle East Children’s Alliance and UNRWA USA all deliver aid on the ground. Taawon supports Palestinian education and community development.
The list is rounded out by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace and the Institute for Middle East Understanding, which focus on organising, advocacy and media work.
To be honest, a donation of the price of a ticket to any of these will do as much good as the gig itself, and you won’t have to fight Ticketmaster for it.
