After massive criticism over anti-ICE lyrics, Zach Bryan strikes back: 35 shows worldwide, including Berlin. What’s behind the controversy and when tickets will be available.
Zach Bryan was recently embroiled in a political debate in the US over a lyric from a previously unreleased track. In 2026 he will go on a world tour and will come to Berlin for a show in May.
World tour despite massive criticism
The country star announced a global tour after previously falling out of favor in MAGA circles over alleged anti-ICE lyrics.
On his upcoming tour he will visit 35 locations, including the Berlin Waldbühne. The musical journey begins in March 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri and ends in October of the same year in Alabama. Also on tour are the supporting acts Kings Of Leon, Ben Howard and Dijon.
Read all the tour dates here:
Song snippet made MAGA supporters boil
The lines under criticism come from a snippet of an unreleased song that the artist shared on Instagram with his five million followers in October. In the verse that can be heard, the 29-year-old seems to be singing about an ICE raid: “I heard the cops came / Cocky motherfuckers, ain’t they / And ICE is gonna come bust down your door / Try to build a house no one builds no more / But I got a telephone / Kids are all scared and all alone”. The lines angered conservative fans and Republican members of the government.
Listen to the song snippet here:
Bryan categorized lyrics after verbal attacks on social media
In an Instagram story at the time, the artist provided a detailed explanation of the lines. It said, among other things: He wrote the song months ago. The song is mainly about how much he loves his country and the people in it.