Lorde tags Robert Kraft in Free Palestine jacket post after Austin City Limits set
Lorde tagged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in an Oct. 5 Instagram Story photo of her hand-decorated “FREE PALESTINE!!!!!!” jacket. The post came two days after she wore the jacket on stage for her Austin City Limits set, according to Billboard.
The tag was direct. Lorde tagged the account @mr.robertkraft in the photo of the jacket. She did not add a caption beyond the image itself.
The post connects to a dispute over Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. Macklemore, the opening act who plays before the headliner, chanted “Free Palestine” and showed visuals of violence in Gaza during his first two opening sets in early September.
Macklemore has blamed Kraft for his removal from the tour. Kraft rallied other stadium owners to refuse dates to Sheeran unless Macklemore was dropped as opener. Messina Touring Group, the company handling Sheeran’s concerts in the United States, then terminated its contract with Macklemore.
Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium. The stadium barred Macklemore from Sheeran’s United States stadium run over the pro-Palestinian speeches. Kraft is the owner of the Patriots.
Macklemore said he earned $1 million from opening for Sheeran. He donated that money to Palestinian aid. He is now planning a Free Palestine Tour to raise money for Palestinian aid, with stops listed for Dublin, London and Paris.
Three other openers left the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham dropped out as remaining openers. Kraft has announced plans to pledge money to humanitarian organisations in Gaza.
Lorde has made pro-Palestinian statements on stage before. About a year before Austin City Limits, she chanted “Free f–king Palestine!” while performing “Team” at her Ultrasound World Tour show at Madison Square Garden.
She is not the only performer to reference Kraft’s venues. Zach Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” T-shirt while performing at Gillette Stadium, according to the Boston Herald.
For fans following the tour dispute, the tag is the news. Lorde named Kraft herself. She did it the day after the Austin City Limits weekend closed.
