Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival cancels after UK visa denial for Kanye West
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The UK's Wireless Festival 2026 has been cancelled after the Home Office denied Kanye West—now Ye—entry to headline the event, amid backlash to his booking reported earlier. Organizers cited the visa refusal and promised full refunds, following sponsor withdrawals and public outcry over West's antisemitic history.
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.
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Pepsi has withdrawn its decade-long sponsorship of London's Wireless Festival following escalating backlash—including from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan—over booking Ye to headline all three nights. The festival remains scheduled for July 10-12 at Finsbury Park.