Brief

Zach Bryan dons ‘Free Palestine’ shirt at Gillette Stadium amid ongoing artist protests

The Texas‑born singer’s outfit sparked social‑media buzz as his bandmates also wore matching shirts.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 11:34:24 GMT

Country singer Zach Bryan appeared on stage at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Oct. 2 wearing a black T‑shirt that read “Free Palestine,” according to Billboard. The shirt was part of a coordinated look, with several members of his backing band spotted in identical apparel, a detail reported by TMZ and shared widely on social media.

What happened

During the first of two nights on his With Heaven On Tour, Bryan performed without commenting on the shirt from the stage. The venue, owned by the Kraft Group and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has recently been linked to the removal of rapper Macklemore from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after Macklemore’s own “Free Palestine” statements at MetLife Stadium.

What the reports add

Billboard noted that the timing of Bryan’s shirt choice is “hard to read as a coincidence,” given Kraft’s involvement in the Macklemore controversy. The outlet also recapped Macklemore’s September 4‑5 MetLife performances, where he declared “Free Palestine” and later addressed Jewish fans, prompting the Israeli‑American Council to petition his removal. Kraft confirmed his role in that decision, saying he felt a responsibility to speak up on antisemitism while acknowledging Palestinian suffering.

What was said

Billboard quoted Kraft’s September‑14 statement that he acted to prevent antisemitic rhetoric, and noted Ed Sheeran’s follow‑up comment that the removal was the promoter’s decision, not his own. No direct comment from Bryan about the shirt was recorded.

How it came about

The incident follows a series of high‑profile artist protests over the Israel‑Palestine conflict, including Macklemore’s donation of $1 million to Palestinian aid and subsequent challenges to Kraft and Sheeran to match the contribution. Felo’s earlier coverage of Kraft’s ban of Macklemore (Robert Kraft bans Macklemore from Ed Sheeran tour) provides context for the heightened scrutiny of venue owners’ political stances.

Key facts

Zach Bryan wore a ‘Free Palestine’ shirt at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 2. (billboard.com)
Band members were seen in matching shirts, according to TMZ. (billboard.com)
Gillette Stadium is owned by the Kraft Group, whose owner Robert Kraft previously removed Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s tour over similar statements. (billboard.com)