Zach Bryan Sets Stadium Record While Wearing Palestine Solidarity Shirt
Zach Bryan broke Gillette Stadium attendance record while wearing 'Free Palestine' shirt at concert.
Event / Society
Musicians Palestine Support Controversy
Musicians expressing pro-Palestinian views and facing venue restrictions or support from other artists
4 reported locations
Daily activity
4 articles0 articles
2026-10-03 to 2026-10-30 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 Oct, 17:48 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Zach Bryan wears 'Free Palestine' shirt at Gillette Stadium concerts
Country singer Zach Bryan wore a 'Free Palestine... Appeal to Heaven' t-shirt during concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Friday and Saturday nights. The shirt featured the text 'Free Palestine' and 'An appeal to heaven' with a pine tree logo. Some band members also wore matching shirts in apparent solidarity.
Zach Bryan breaks Gillette Stadium attendance record with 73,538 fans
Zach Bryan performed to 73,538 fans at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night, setting a new attendance record for the venue, the largest crowd for any event in its history.
Macklemore barred from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestinian comments
Rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's 'Loop' tour after making 'Free Palestine' comments during a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who also owns Gillette Stadium, called Ed Sheeran to inform him that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium.
Zach Bryan wore 'Free Palestine' shirt at Gillette Stadium concert
Country music artist Zach Bryan, 30, performed at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on October 2, 2026, wearing a black t-shirt with 'FREE PALESTINE' printed on it. The shirt also featured a pine tree graphic alongside the phrase 'AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN,' a reference to a historical flag used during the American Revolutionary War. Members of Bryan's band also wore clothing supporting the Palestinian cause during the performance.
Macklemore announced 'Free Palestine Tour' after removal from Sheeran's dates
Following his removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour, Macklemore announced a 'Free Palestine Tour' starting in late October 2026. The tour included three scheduled performances: Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29, and London on October 30. All three shows sold out immediately. Macklemore stated that all proceeds from the tour would benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement, and that the artists performing were those who had 'used their stages to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, regardless of the consequences.'
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour over pro-Palestine statements
Rapper Macklemore, 43, was removed from the remaining eight scheduled dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following his pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, 2026. Macklemore performed his song 'Hind's Hall' while chanting 'Free Palestine' as images from Gaza played behind him. He later clarified that his criticism of Israel should not be conflated with attacks on Jewish people. Macklemore subsequently claimed that Kraft had rallied stadium owners to collectively give Sheeran an ultimatum: if Macklemore remained on the tour, the venues would not allow Sheeran to perform there.
Ed Sheeran apologized for handling of Macklemore removal controversy
Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from his tour during a Philadelphia concert on September 19, 2026. Sheeran stated he had experienced one of the worst weeks of his life and acknowledged making mistakes in how he handled the situation. He expressed concern about venues pre-approving performance content and stated: 'This has put me in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech on the most complex issue on the planet.' Sheeran emphasized that his concerts have always been a safe space for everyone and that honoring commitment to fans is central to who he is.
Macklemore and Kraft both donated millions to Gaza humanitarian organizations
In response to the controversy, Macklemore made a $1 million donation to Palestinian aid groups and challenged Kraft to match the contribution. Kraft subsequently revealed that Ed Sheeran had requested a $2 million commitment toward humanitarian assistance, and Kraft agreed to participate in that donation to provide global humanitarian aid.
Sheeran denied firing Macklemore and donated $2 million to humanitarian aid
Ed Sheeran, 35, publicly denied that he personally fired Macklemore from his tour, stating the decision was made by promoters, not by him. Sheeran explained he had spent the week trying to resolve the dispute, including speaking with Kraft. He subsequently donated $2 million toward global humanitarian aid in the Gaza region following the controversy.
Multiple artists withdrew from Ed Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore
Following Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour, several supporting acts withdrew in solidarity. Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother, stated that artists should not be silenced when speaking out on behalf of oppressed people. Other opening acts including Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, as well as Sheeran's longtime backing group Beoga, subsequently withdrew from the remaining tour dates.
Robert Kraft barred Macklemore from Gillette Stadium over pro-Palestine remarks
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 85, prohibited rapper Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium during Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour scheduled for September 25-26, 2026. Kraft stated the decision was based on Macklemore's 'recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.' Macklemore had previously chanted 'Free Palestine' and delivered pro-Palestinian remarks while performing at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, 2026.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Musicians Direct Millions to Gaza Humanitarian Relief Efforts
Macklemore and Kraft donated millions to Gaza humanitarian aid organizations.
Artists Use Concert Platforms to Express Palestine Solidarity
Musicians continue expressing Palestine support through concert apparel and dedicated tour announcements.
Music Industry Figures Respond to Palestine Controversy Fallout
Artists removed from tour over Palestine statements; industry figures respond with solidarity and donations.