Zach Bryan makes statement with ‘Free Palestine’ shirt at Robert Kraft venue

Zach Bryan drew attention to his appearance at Gillette Stadium on Friday, October 2, after taking the stage in a black shirt bearing the words “Free Palestine”.

Bryan was performing at the Foxborough, Massachusetts venue as part of his With Heaven On Tour. His clothing choice gained attention because the stadium is owned by the Kraft Group, led by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who became involved in the controversy over Macklemore and Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour.

Macklemore made pro Palestinian comments during performances at MetLife Stadium in September, including a call for “Free Palestine” before performing “Hind’s Hall”. Kraft later confirmed that he had decided Macklemore should not perform at Gillette Stadium during Sheeran’s September 25 and 26 concerts.

Kraft said the decision followed Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he said was offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community. Kraft also said the decision was not intended to deny anyone the right to advocate for Palestinians and said Palestinian suffering was real.

Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium shows were cancelled because of severe weather linked to a nor’easter, while Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of the tour. Sheeran said the decision to remove the rapper was made by the promoter after venues indicated they would not host shows with Macklemore on the bill.

Macklemore later announced the Free Palestine Tour, with dates in Dublin, Paris and London selling out.

Bryan’s shirt was notable because his concert took place shortly after the Macklemore and Kraft dispute. Bryan is scheduled to perform a second night at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, October 3.

Neither Bryan nor Kraft announced a connection between the shirt and the dispute. Its meaning remains open to interpretation.