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Pressure mounts to cancel Kanye West's UK festival appearance
Politicians, Jewish groups, and sponsors are urging authorities to prevent the rapper-now known as Ye-from performing at London's Wireless Festival in July, citing his history of antisemitic statements.
Sponsors withdraw as backlash intensifies
Pepsi and Diageo, two major sponsors of Wireless Festival, pulled their support on Sunday, with Diageo stating it would no longer back the event "as it stands." Payment provider PayPal also distanced itself, banning the use of its branding in festival promotions.
The festival, set to draw 50,000 attendees daily in Finsbury Park from 10-12 July, has faced escalating criticism since West was announced as the headliner for all three nights. Tickets entered general sale on Wednesday after two pre-sale rounds.
Government and opposition weigh visa ban
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the booking "deeply concerning," while Conservative MPs demanded the government deny West a visa. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described his past behavior as "a pattern of conduct causing real offense to Jewish communities," not an isolated incident.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson condemned West's remarks as "completely unacceptable and absolutely disgusting," though she stopped short of confirming whether officials would block his entry.
"There is no place for that kind of hatred, bigotry, or antisemitism from him or from anyone else."
Bridget Phillipson, UK Education Secretary
Jewish groups demand action
Michael Weiger, CEO of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, urged the UK to follow Australia's lead after it revoked West's visa last May over his song Heil Hitler. The group accused Wireless Festival and its parent company, Festival Republic, of "profiteering from racism," though neither has responded to requests for comment.
Stephen Silverman of the Campaign Against Antisemitism called the booking "astonishing," telling BBC Radio 5Live: "How could it have been considered right to headline an artist who, less than a year ago, released a music video for a song called Heil Hitler?"
Festival faces financial and PR fallout
The Guardian's music editor, Ben Beaumont-Thomas, suggested organizers might cancel the performance, noting the event could withstand the financial hit but faces a "PR disaster." Haringey Council, which oversees Finsbury Park, said it would seek assurances that Festival Republic would remind artists of licensing rules prohibiting offensive or denigrating content.
Tottenham Hotspur FC reportedly rejected a request for West to perform at its stadium, according to The Sun.
West's history of controversy
The rapper has sparked outrage with repeated antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks, including a 2022 post combining a swastika and Star of David, and a threat to go "death con 3 On Jewish people." In January, he apologized in a Wall Street Journal ad, attributing his actions to bipolar disorder and stating, "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite."
"When you're manic, you don't think you're sick. I lost touch with reality. I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state."
Kanye West, in a January 2026 apology
Fan support persists despite backlash
West's new album ranks second in the US and third in the UK, and he recently sold out two Los Angeles stadium shows. Music critic Lisa Verrico told 5Live that while his past behavior would have once barred him from public platforms, his streaming numbers remain high. "If he plays at Wireless, it will sell out immediately," she said.
