Zach Bryan dons "Free Palestine" shirt during Gillette Stadium concert
Grammy winner Zach Bryan wore a T-shirt reading "Free Palestine" at his Gillette Stadium show on Oct. 2, drawing attention to the ongoing controversy surrounding the venue’s owner, Robert Kraft, and recent cancellations of pro-Palestinian performances.
Grammy-winning singer Zach Bryan appeared on stage at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Oct. 2 wearing a black T-shirt that read “Free Palestine.” Band members were also seen in matching shirts, and fan-recorded video of the moment spread quickly on social media. Bryan did not comment on the shirt during his performance.
The venue is owned by the Kraft Group, led by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who earlier intervened in the removal of rapper Macklemore from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after Macklemore voiced pro-Palestinian statements at MetLife Stadium. Kraft said he acted because he believed a line had been crossed on antisemitism, while also acknowledging the reality of Palestinian suffering.
Macklemore’s removal followed a petition by the Israeli-American Council and threats from several NFL stadium owners to cancel shows if he remained on the bill. After the cancellation, Macklemore announced a “Free Palestine Tour” in Europe and pledged $1 million from his touring earnings to Palestinian aid organizations.
Sheeran’s two scheduled Gillette Stadium concerts were later canceled due to severe weather, not directly because of the earlier controversy. Bryan is set to perform a second night at the stadium on Oct. 3, and representatives for Kraft have not responded to inquiries about the shirt.