Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, defended the decision to book Ye to headline Wireless Festival 2026 for three nights in London's Finsbury Park. In a statement, Benn condemned Ye's past comments about Jews and Hitler as abhorrent but called for forgiveness and second chances. The booking has prompted sponsor withdrawals and criticism from UK leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Melvin Benn released a statement on April 6 standing by the festival's choice to have Ye perform on July 10, 11, and 12. He described himself as a committed anti-fascist who lived on a kibbutz attacked on October 7 and supports both Jewish and Palestinian states. Benn drew from personal experience with mental illness in his life, saying he has become 'a person of forgiveness and hope in all aspects of my life, including work.' He noted Ye's music continues to play on UK radio and streaming platforms without issue and affirmed Ye's legal right to enter and perform in the country, emphasizing the festival provides a stage only for songs, not opinions. Ye's booking, announced last week, follows his Bully album release and recent SoFi Stadium shows in Los Angeles. Several sponsors have pulled out, including Pepsi, Diageo, Rockstar Energy, and PayPal. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision 'deeply concerning' due to Ye's 'previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism,' stressing antisemitism must be confronted. A spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the artist's past comments are 'offensive and wrong' and not reflective of London's values, noting City Hall had no involvement. Others, including former Chancellor Sajid Javid, Tory MP Chris Philp, and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, have called for Ye to be banned from the UK. The BBC reported that Ye's right to enter the country is under government review.
