Trending on Billboard Macklemore returned to the stage Thursday night (Oct. 22) with a message that made clear he has no plans to retreat from the stance that preceded his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour. Explore Macklemore See latest videos, charts and news During a 17-song set at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the rapper paused the show to address the crowd, calling for a free Palestine while also speaking about Sudan, Congo, Lebanon, Haiti, and people affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Being a human being in this moment is not complicated, Macklemore said, according to footage from the concert. It is not political. It is human to have a heart, to watch others suffering and to say, Not anymore!' So I say, free Palestine. I say, free Palestine! He continued: I say, free Sudan. I say, free Congo, Lebanon, to Haiti, to all the people that are affected by ICE in America, who are afraid to leave their houses. The message will always be love, he concluded. The Red Rocks appearance marked Macklemore's first concert since a turbulent run opening for Sheeran's Loop Tour in September. During two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Macklemore called for Palestinian freedom from the stage and performed his 2024 protest song Hind's Hall alongside imagery from Gaza. The performances prompted criticism from groups including the Israeli-American Council and ultimately led to his removal from the remaining dates. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said at the time that venues on the upcoming U.S. run had informed organizers they would not host the concerts with Macklemore on the lineup. Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, later confirmed that he had barred Macklemore from appearing at the Massachusetts venue, citing rhetoric and imagery that Kraft said had been offensive and hurtful to members of the Jewish community. Sheeran subsequently stressed that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his, writing that it had been made by the promoter and venues. I respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he bel #billboard #podcastdailynews