Zach Bryan breaks Gillette Stadium record in ‘Free Palestine’ shirt
Country singer Zach Bryan set an attendance record at Gillette Stadium while wearing a 'Free Palestine' shirt, despite the venue owner's known opposition to such political statements. This follows the removal of Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's tour for similar rhetoric.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between artists' political expression and venue owners' control over their properties.
Country singer Zach Bryan broke Gillette Stadium's all-time attendance record on the second consecutive night he wore a "Free Palestine" T-shirt to perform in Robert Kraft's Massachusetts venue.
"Tonight, Zach Bryan broke the Gillette Stadium attendance record with 73,538 fans!" the stadium confirmed following his Saturday night show.
Pop star Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour recently lost its opening acts, including Macklemore, when the Seattle rapper upset Kraft after declaring "Free Palestine" at an Sept. 4 concert in New Jersey. Kraft made clear Macklemore wasn't welcome in his stadium due to his political rhetoric. Sheeran said tour promoters worried other venue operators would follow suit and forced his hand in firing Macklemore from the tour.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Zach Bryan Sports 'Free Palestine' Shirt for 2nd Night at Robert Kraft's Stadium
Zach Bryan Breaks Gillette Stadium Attendance Record While Wearing ‘Free Palestine’ Shirt Again - Billboard
Zach Bryan Breaks Record at Kraft's Stadium in Free Palestine Shirt - Variety
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