Zach Bryan wore a shirt reading "Free Palestine" while performing at Gillette Stadium on Friday night, an act that critics say directly challenges the venue's recent decision to ban Macklemore. The country singer's choice of attire arrived the same week that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft barred the rapper from two scheduled shows at the Boston-area stadium, citing Macklemore's history of antisemitic rhetoric.
Bryan's band members also appeared to wear clothing supporting the Palestinian cause during the performance. The singer is scheduled to return to Gillette Stadium on Saturday night for the second date of his two-night residency. The visual statement immediately divided fans online, with some praising Bryan for making a courageous political stand while others argued that concertgoers purchase tickets to hear music, not to receive political messages.
One social media user supported the move, writing that Bryan and his crew would likely "have to pay a price" but that it was a necessary statement to help conservative crowds see the light. Another commenter, who disagreed with Bryan's political view, defended his right to wear the shirt, noting that Bryan did not preach his politics on stage but simply performed his songs. Conversely, a third user argued that Kraft should cancel Bryan's remaining show, asserting that the venue owner should apply the same standard he held Macklemore to.
The controversy unfolds amid ongoing fallout from Macklemore's performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4. During that show, Macklemore performed his song "Hind's Hall" while chanting "Free Palestine" as images from the war in Gaza played on screens behind him. The performance drew significant backlash, prompting Macklemore to defend his actions on social media by stating that wanting all humans to be treated equally should never be controversial. Following the incident, Macklemore announced a new concert series titled the "Free Palestine Tour." Ed Sheeran, whose tour included Macklemore as an opening act, later clarified that removing Macklemore from the remaining U.S. dates was not his decision. Sheeran said he spent the week trying to resolve the dispute, including speaking directly with Kraft.
Kraft, whose company owns Gillette Stadium, issued a statement explaining the ban on Macklemore. He said the stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring events do not provide a platform for hate speech. Kraft stated that based on Macklemore's recent actions and material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, along with a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery believed to be deeply offensive to the Jewish community, he determined that Macklemore's participation in the September 25 and 26 concerts would cross that line. Fox News Digital has reached out to both Kraft and Bryan for comment.