Zach Bryan Shatters Gillette Stadium Attendance Record While Wearing 'Free Palestine' Shirt

Country singer Zach Bryan set a new attendance record at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, drawing 73,538 fans. The record was announced by the venue via an Instagram post.

Bryan wore a shirt that read 'Free Palestine' during the performance, marking the second consecutive night he displayed the message. The shows were held at the Foxborough, Massachusetts stadium owned by Robert Kraft.

These concerts occurred weeks after Macklemore was reportedly banned from performing at the stadium due to pro-Palestine comments made during Ed Sheeran's tour. According to Macklemore's account on Instagram, Sheeran informed him that Kraft had issued an ultimatum: if Macklemore remained on the tour, he would not be permitted to play in Kraft's venues. Macklemore further stated that Kraft had allegedly rallied other stadium owners to collectively issue a similar ultimatum to Sheeran.

Users on Instagram noted that the official photos from Bryan's concert appeared to deliberately avoid close-ups of his shirt, speculating that the venue was attempting to downplay the political statement. "Funny how the pictures are all from afar with no close up for us to see what he’s wearing... but hey the message got across a record number of people," one user commented. Another suggested, "no closeups... scared of some text on a shirt."

According to TMZ, members of Zach Bryan's band also wore 'Free Palestine' shirts during the performance. Bryan's 'With Heaven On Tour' featured special guests Gregory Alan Isakov and Gabriella Rose.

Following the controversy, Ed Sheeran released a statement explaining that the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was not his own, but originated from the promoter. Sheeran stated he has personal views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but chose not to speak publicly. He added that artists should not be silenced for speaking out for the oppressed and that his concerts are intended to be a safe space for everyone.

Other artists, including Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, pulled out of scheduled appearances on Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Tour openers Aaron Rowe, the band Lukas Graham, and Sheeran's backing band Beoga also departed the tour, leaving Sheeran to continue as a solo act.

Sheeran later addressed the situation at a concert in Philadelphia, describing it as "one of the worst weeks of my life" and expressing uncertainty about continuing the tour. He apologized for any mistakes made and for potentially disappointing fans.

Macklemore has since announced a sold-out "Macklemore & Friends Free Palestine" tour with three dates scheduled in Dublin, Paris, and London, aiming to use the stage to raise funds and demonstrate collective action in solidarity with Palestine.