Zach Bryan Performs in ‘Free Palestine’ Shirt at Kraft’s Gillette Stadium, Weeks After Macklemore Ban

Country singer Zach Bryan wore a black T-shirt reading “FREE PALESTINE” onstage during his sold-out concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Friday night — roughly a month after stadium owner Robert Kraft helped force a similar political display off the Ed Sheeran tour.

Bryan, 30, took the stage in the shirt as part of a two-night stand in Foxborough, the closing leg of his “With Heaven on Tour.” The shirt featured white 3D lettering spelling out “FREE PALESTINE” above an image of a pine tree and the phrase “AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN” — a reference to a flag and slogan from the American Revolutionary era tied to George Washington’s command of the Continental Army. The National Park Service has described the symbol as representing colonists’ belief that God could be summoned to defend their natural rights.

Bryan wasn’t the only performer making a political statement. Guitarist Noah Le Gros wore a green Palestine soccer jersey onstage alongside Bryan and later posted a photo of himself wearing it in front of Kraft Sports and Entertainment signage.

The Macklemore Precedent

Bryan’s shirt comes less than a month after rapper Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, ignited controversy during his opening sets for Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 4 and 5. Macklemore wore a black-and-white keffiyeh and called for “free Palestine” while addressing the war and urging freedom for “every single human being.”

Several NFL owners scheduled to host Sheeran’s tour, including Kraft, threatened to cancel the shows over concerns about political speech at their venues. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group told the owners Macklemore would not repeat the anti-Israel messaging on the second night, but he did not comply. Footage of Gaza and anti-Israel protests played on screens behind him as he spoke.

“Free Palestine. I want those words to be clear so that people from Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them. This next song was inspired by the bravery of the Columbia University students, who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world, opening up hearts — myself included,” Macklemore said.

Macklemore was subsequently dropped from the remainder of the tour after stadium owners led by Kraft threatened to pull Sheeran’s shows. Sheeran’s planned Gillette Stadium dates were later canceled due to weather.

Kraft and Sheeran, who have a longstanding relationship, discussed the fallout and agreed to direct money toward Palestinian relief efforts. “Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,” Kraft said in a September statement. “Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

Bryan’s choice to wear similar messaging at the same venue just weeks later has drawn attention given the earlier standoff over political expression on Kraft’s property.