'One of the most beautiful moments': Macklemore praises his Dublin Free Palestine gig ahead of a sold-out London show on Friday

Rapper Macklemore, 43 — real name Benjamin Haggerty — posted on Instagram that he had "tears in my eyes the whole night" after his Free Palestine Tour opened in Dublin on Monday, pulling a crowd of up to 13,000 to the 3Arena on a sold-out night. The three-date run moves to Paris on Thursday before wrapping up at London's OVO Arena Wembley on Friday, with every show already sold out. Online critics branded him "performative and out of touch," while supporters praised his activism.

Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's lineup six weeks ago after declaring "Free Palestine" during a support slot.

Many fans at the Dublin show wore keffiyeh scarves and Palestinian jerseys as Macklemore defended his stance from the stage.

Critics online called him 'so performative and bored', asking why he lectures crowds abroad rather than tackling problems closer to home.