Zach Bryan Wears Free Palestine Shirt at Gillette Stadium

Musician Zach Bryan wore a shirt reading "Free Palestine" while headlining a concert at Gillette Stadium on Friday night. Variety, Stereogum, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline reported that the concert was a stop on his With Heaven On Tour. Variety reported that members of his band also wore pro-Palestine shirts, and his drummer honored a slain Palestinian girl during the performance. [1][2][3][4][5]

The performance came weeks after Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft campaigned against rapper Macklemore over pro-Palestinian activism. Stereogum, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter reported that Kraft sought Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour following remarks made at earlier shows. Variety and Consequence noted that Macklemore was dropped from the remaining dates of Sheeran's tour as a result of the pressure. [1][2][3][4][6]

Gillette Stadium is located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and opened in 2002 as a multi-purpose stadium. Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter who signed with Asylum Records in 2011. Stereogum reported that Sheeran subsequently faced backlash for his refusal to take a stance, while Macklemore announced a separate Free Palestine Tour. [2][13][15]

Bryan stepped onto the stage in the Kraft-owned venue despite Kraft's prior actions against Macklemore, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter reported. The appearance marked a public statement by the Grammy winner at the venue, according to Deadline. [4][5]