Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Zach Bryan Sets Gillette Attendance Record Wearing Palestine Shirt
Zach Bryan played a concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
A record 73,538 people attended the October 3 show.
Bryan wore a shirt that said “Free Palestine,” as did some of his bandmates.
This happened after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour when venues reportedly said they would not host him.
Macklemore said Robert Kraft had barred him from Gillette and urged other stadium owners to do the same.
Kraft said the stadium aims to be welcoming and not provide a platform for hate speech, but did not address Bryan’s shirt.
People and news outlets reacted to Bryan’s choice in different ways.
Neither Bryan nor Kraft has publicly commented on it.
Zach Bryan drew 73,538 people to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on October 3, setting an attendance record.
Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” T-shirt on both nights of his two-show engagement, and some band members wore matching shirts.
Gillette Stadium lists its capacity as 64,628, though concert seating layouts can differ.
The shirt drew attention amid a dispute over Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after venues reportedly refused to host him.
Kraft has not publicly responded to Bryan’s shirt, and Bryan has not commented on it.
- Who
- Country singer Zach Bryan, who performed for 73,538 attendees.
- What
- He set Gillette Stadium’s attendance record while wearing a “Free Palestine” T-shirt.
- When
- Saturday, October 3; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
- Why
- The article does not state why Bryan wore the shirt; it drew attention amid the dispute over Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Criticism of venue restrictions
Venue’s stated standards
Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour
Criticism of venue restrictions
Macklemore said Robert Kraft barred him from Gillette Stadium and persuaded other stadium owners to issue a similar ultimatum; he said he would donate his tour earnings to humanitarian groups helping Palestinians.
Venue’s stated standards
Kraft said the stadium was committed to a welcoming environment and would not provide a platform for hate speech. The promoter said venues had told it they would not host Macklemore; Sheeran said the decision was made by the promoter.
Public response to Bryan’s shirt
Criticism of venue restrictions
The Jerusalem Post published an analysis arguing that pressure on artists over Palestine can backfire and prompt more artists to speak out.
Venue’s stated standards
The article notes that reactions were mixed, but does not provide a specific opposing argument about Bryan’s shirt.
- Attendance
- 73,538
- Venue
- Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Listed stadium capacity
- 64,628; concert seating layouts can vary
- Performance
- Second of two shows on Bryan’s With Heaven On Tour
- Shirt
- “Free Palestine”; worn by Bryan on both nights, with some band members in matching shirts
- Macklemore’s tour earnings pledge
- He said he would donate $1 million to humanitarian groups helping Palestinians
- Gillette ownership
- The stadium is owned by the Kraft Group, run by Robert Kraft