Zach Bryan Makes ‘Free Palestine’ Statement at Robert Kraft’s Gillette Stadium
Zach Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” shirt during his Friday night performance at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, bringing fresh attention to the venue’s recent controversy involving rapper Macklemore.
Bryan, who is due to play the stadium again Saturday, wore a black shirt reading “Free Palestine. An appeal to heaven.” Members of his band were also seen wearing Palestinian soccer jerseys, according to WCVB.
He did not mention the shirt from the stage, but fans noticed the message and shared photos and reactions on social media.
The moment comes weeks after Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour dates at Gillette Stadium over pro-Palestinian comments he made at a concert in New Jersey.
Why Macklemore was removed from the Gillette Stadium shows
Macklemore was set to support Sheeran at two Gillette Stadium dates. During a September 4 show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, he said “Free Palestine” while addressing the crowd.
Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, then objected to Macklemore’s continued involvement. Kraft said at the time that the rapper’s comments were deeply offensive to the Jewish community.
The Sheeran and Macklemore concerts at Gillette ultimately did not take place on their scheduled September dates because of severe weather warnings.
The removal sparked further backlash, with several other artists pulling out of Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates in solidarity. Sheeran later addressed the row, saying he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and apologizing for how he handled the situation.
Zach Bryan’s Gillette Stadium performance
Unlike Macklemore, Bryan made no public statement about Palestine during Friday’s show. His message was carried by the clothing he and his band wore onstage.
The phrase “an appeal to heaven” on his shirt has roots in the American Revolutionary War. It was also linked to a maritime flag Massachusetts used until 1971, according to WCVB.
Kraft has not publicly commented on Bryan’s shirt. WCVB said it contacted the Kraft Group for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
How the Gillette Stadium controversy unfolded
Here is how events have developed, based on the reporting so far:
Bryan returns to Gillette Stadium for a second concert Saturday night. Whether he addresses the shirt from the stage, or whether Kraft or the Kraft Group responds, remains to be seen.
