Macklemore launches 'Free Palestine' tour in Dublin with Hozier and Kneecap after he was dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour

The 43-year-old, real name Benjamin Haggerty, played to a sell-out crowd of up to 13,000 at Dublin's 3Arena on Monday night. Folk band Beoga, who had also played on Sheeran's tour, joined the bill, and actor Mark Ruffalo sent a message of support. Macklemore says all proceeds will go to organisations supporting Palestinians. He plays Paris on Thursday and London on Friday.

Sheeran insists his promoter, not him, made the call to axe Macklemore.

Singer Finneas was among four acts who quit Sheeran's tour in solidarity.

Macklemore told the crowd: 'Those two words are so threatening to some people.'