Zach Bryan Wears ‘Free Palestine’ Shirt at Gillette

Country singer Zach Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” shirt while performing at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Friday, October 2, as controversy continued over rapper Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour. The performance began Bryan’s scheduled two-night run at the venue, according to reports and the stadium’s official schedule. The shirt displayed the words “Free Palestine.” Reports also said members of Bryan’s band wore clothing supporting Palestine. Bryan has not publicly explained his choice of clothing in the information available, so his intent and whether he meant it as a response to the Macklemore dispute remain unclear. The controversy began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during performances on Sheeran’s Loop tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early September. Macklemore said on social media that Sheeran told him Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, had said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform there. Macklemore also alleged that Kraft had urged other stadium owners to pressure Sheeran to remove him from the tour. That broader claim has not been independently established in the available accounts.