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London’s Wireless Festival has been officially cancelled following a wave of controversy and a government intervention blocking headliner Ye (formerly Kanye West) from entering the country.
The decision comes after intense backlash regarding the choice to book the rapper for all three nights of the event. Amid the fallout, major sponsors—including headline partner Pepsi—withdrew their support over the weekend.
Promoter Reveals Sponsor Approval
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, claimed that sponsors were fully aware of the booking.
“With Pepsi, for instance, our lead sponsor, they signed off and approved it,” Benn stated. When asked to clarify if the beverage giant initially backed the decision to book Ye, he confirmed, “Correct. Yes. They’re our headline sponsor. We asked them and asked them to sign off on it, and they did.”
Benn added a note of regret regarding the consultation process: “Perhaps we should have done the same with the Jewish community.”
Government Intervention and “Poison of Antisemitism”
The festival’s fate was sealed on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, when the Home Office withdrew Ye’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), effectively banning him from the UK.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the situation on X, stating, “Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless. This government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.”
Organizers and Ye Respond
Wireless organizers confirmed that all ticket holders will receive refunds. In an official statement, they noted that “multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance” and no concerns were raised at the time of the booking.
For his part, the 48-year-old rapper released a statement prior to the Home Office’s ruling, expressing a desire to “present a show of change” and meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK. “I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions,” Ye said.
However, with his entry denied, the festival has opted to shut down the 2026 event entirely rather than seek replacement headliners.