Stars Join Macklemore for Free Palestine Benefit Concert in Dublin
Mark Ruffalo, Julian Casablancas and other celebrities appeared in person or via video at Macklemore's first Free Palestine benefit show in Dublin, which also featured performances by Irish musicians.
Macklemore opened the first night of his Free Palestine Tour at Dublin's 3Arena on Oct. 26, featuring a lineup of guest speakers and musical acts. Actor Mark Ruffalo appeared in a pre-recorded video, urging the audience to "keep fighting for a free Palestine" and stating that "there will be no peace until there's equality."
Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas also sent a video message, thanking Macklemore and calling on attendees to "continue standing up in this struggle towards a just world system." Ilana Glazer, appearing via video, said, "We are all together in this fight to help free Palestine. Keep speaking up and using your voice, it's working."
Other participants included actress Cynthia Nixon and writer Natasha Rothwell, who delivered virtual remarks, while actor Liam Cunningham, activist Nadia Greenspan and artist-activist Samir Eskanda spoke on stage. Cunningham emphasized that enjoying the concert does not mean ignoring the suffering in Gaza, adding that it "means celebrating the humanity and life that Palestinians have fought so hard to protect."
The Dublin concert was the first of three benefit shows, with additional performances scheduled in Paris and London. Macklemore, who previously faced removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after onstage protests, said that "being apolitical during a genocide doesn't work anymore" and urged artists to use their platforms for advocacy. After the speeches, he performed hits such as "Thrift Shop" and "Can't Hold Us," joined by Irish acts Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga.