Review: A homecoming for Macklemore as he shares Cork family links
Macklemore took to the stage at Musgrave Park wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh and a vintage Cork City FC shirt which he later swapped for a Cork GAA jersey, and a Palestine Celtic shirt for the encores. Picture: Larry Cummins
Pay no heed to those rain clouds — American rapper Macklemore launched in Cork as he kicked off a season of major gigs in the city with his long-awaited homecoming to the Rebel County.
Taking to the stage after 8.30pm on Thursday night, he treated fans at Musgrave Park (Virgin Media Park) to some of his biggest hits, including , , and , all with slick choreography, high energy, and style.
Macklemore, fresh from the previous night’s gig in St Anne’s Park, Dublin — his first gig in 10 months which he described as “the longest break I’ve taken in 15 years” — made his entrance wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf and a retro Cork City FC jersey, later changing into a Cork GAA jersey, and ultimately changing into a Palestine Celtic jersey for the encore section.
Seattle-born Macklemore, real name Benjamin Haggerty, has previously described himself as “primarily Irish” and called this week’s Irish gigs as a “homecoming”, sharing his Cork roots with the crowd.
“Cork! I finally made it home,” he said after his opening number .
"I am so grateful, truly grateful to be here tonight because my ancestors came from here — specifically Cork.
"This is where the Haggertys come from so this is my homecoming and I feel so honoured to be sharing it with you tonight. This is our fucking evening. This is our show.”
Though it seemed like all the rain we didn’t have in April and May decided to fall on revellers at Musgrave Park, it did not stop Cork’s teens and young adults from baring fake-tanned limbs and dressing for the summer they wanted.
Rain ponchos of all colours were in high demand as thousands poured into the venue, providing a rainbow crowd for Macklemore, who called them “beautiful poncho people”.
Macklemore was left speechless when he invited two energetic young fans on stage for a dance-off.
Eleven-year-old Grace from Cork and eight-year-old Gabby from Clare excelled, with each girl doing multiple backflips and cartwheels during their impromptu routines.
Macklemore praised the audience for coming together to celebrate music and said he wants his gigs to be a safe area for all fans.
“Everyone is welcome. Everyone is included. Every single person is welcome here tonight at this show and all shows forever.”
Palestinian flags and keffiyeh scarves could be seen dotted throughout the crowd and, before , his protest song in support of 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, Macklemore addressed the war in Gaza and Ireland’s long-standing pro-Palestinian stance.
“My [Irish] ancestors would be proud of me and my ancestors would be proud of all of us,” he said, referencing his political activism.
“It is the greatest gift to have compassion and empathy for those that are the most marginalised today. In the last 19 months that we have been experiencing in Palestine, the Irish people have stood up.
“I want to say that this is not something that should be brave.
"I applaud you, Ireland, with all the flags and all the keffiyehs in the house tonight.”
The energy in the rugby grounds was electric even before Macklemore arrived, with local singer Allie Sherlock, who told the crowd she had bought tickets for the gig before she was invited to join the line-up as a support act, and British band Rudimental keeping the tempo high ahead of the main act.
are certainly back in Cork, with Irish and international acts coming to the city this summer.
Macklemore is the first of seven acts to perform at Musgrave Park over the next four weeks, with The Corrs at the venue on Friday night while, across the city, Live at the Marquee will take place from June 25 to July 27 at the Docklands venue.
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