British singer Harry Styles has faced criticism after fans compared the artwork on his Madison Square Garden concert tickets to the September 11 attacks. The controversy began when a fan shared a photograph of the illustration printed on a ticket for the artist's residency in New York.
The image quickly drew attention online, with social media users questioning the decision to use the design during the week of the anniversary. One person commented that placing the image on the back of the ticket during the week of September 11 was complete madness. They added that while the art was cute, they feared it was not a good idea.
Another commenter described the choice of illustration as somewhat bold, considering that it is the week of September 11 in New York.
Fan defence
Styles is currently playing a 30-date residency at Madison Square Garden as part of his Together Together tour. The run of shows at the Manhattan arena began on August 26 and will conclude on October 1. The September 11 attacks, which destroyed the World Trade Center in 2001, remain a highly sensitive subject in the city.
Some fans defended the singer against the backlash. One user argued that if Styles had intended to reference September 11, the artwork would have been released on September 11 rather than September 8. This supporter suggested that people are always looking for something to complain about.
Another defender stated that only cynical people would make a sickening connection between the ticket art and the tragic terror of September 11. This fan praised the design as beautiful, noting that it shared the appearance and feel of the iconic art on the Beatles' 1969 album Yellow Submarine.
Upcoming tour dates
The pop star performed in South America earlier this year. Styles played three concerts in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in July. The initial plan was for him to perform four nights in the city, but one show was cancelled.
Following the conclusion of his New York residency in October, the singer will travel to Australia. He will perform six shows across Melbourne and Sydney.
He will return to perform in the United States and Europe in 2027.
