Zach Bryan Wears ‘Free Palestine’ Shirt at Gillette After Owner Robert Kraft Banned Macklemore

Grammy winner Zach Bryan sported a black T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "Free Palestine" during his first performance at Gillette Stadium on Friday night (Oct. 2). The venue, owned by the Kraft Group led by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, was the site of Bryan's concert. Fan footage of Bryan's decision to wear the shirt quickly spread across social media.

The choice of attire and venue sparked speculation and raised questions about the connection. Earlier this year, Kraft played a significant role in removing Macklemore from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour due to the rapper's pro-Palestinian statements. In a similar vein, Macklemore had performed the song "Free Palestine" and addressed Jewish fans on stage during his sets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier that month.

The Israeli-American Council subsequently launched a petition demanding his removal, and tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed Macklemore's absence from the remaining U.S. dates after receiving threats from multiple NFL stadium owners. Kraft addressed the situation in a statement, asserting his responsibility to speak up against antisemitism while acknowledging the reality of Palestinian suffering.

Other artists such as Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga also exited the tour in solidarity, while Macklemore responded with an Instagram post detailing the consequences of his advocacy, including financial losses, brand deals, and canceled shows. Macklemore later pledged $1 million to Palestinian aid organizations and announced a Free Palestine Tour in Europe.

However, Sheeran did not make it to Foxborough due to severe weather conditions and the tour was ultimately canceled there. Bryan, known for his willingness to challenge powerful figures, had previously drawn criticism for a song referencing ICE raids in October 2025. The shirt Bryan wore at Gillette Stadium remains a topic of interest, and fans will be watching to see if it resurfaces and if Kraft responds to the situation.