Macklemore says US venues rejected his benefit shows for Palestine
Musician Macklemore claims that nine major U.S. venues have refused to host his 'Free Palestine' benefit tour. He argues that these venues are suppressing his political speech and punishing artists who support Palestinian causes.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between celebrity political activism and corporate venue management in the United States regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Macklemore is claiming that Madison Square Garden and the Kia Forum are among venues who refused to host his Free Palestine tour. On Friday, Macklemore, whose legal name is Ben Haggerty, uploaded a lengthy statement to Instagram, claiming it has been difficult for him to bring his Free Palestine tour to the United States. He claimed nine major venues across the U.S. turned him down. Madison Square Garden, Prudential Center, Barclays Center, UBS Arena, Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Crypto.com Arena, Chase Center and Climate Pledge Arena were among the venues that said no, according to Macklemore. He emphasized that their decision came "once they found out these were my benefit shows for Palestine." MACKLEMORE DOUBLES DOWN AFTER GETTING KICKED OFF ED SHEERAN TOUR AFTER PRO-PALESTINE STANCE "In over twenty years of touring, I’ve never experienced anything like this," he wrote.
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