Organisers of the Wireless Festival have cancelled the upcoming event, just hours after major sponsors withdrew their support following the announcement that Kanye West would headline.
Pepsi and Diageo both withdrew after learning that the US rapper, now known as Ye, was set to lead the three-day rap and R&B festival, scheduled for July in north London.
West had been booked to perform across all days of the event.
The decision to include West drew sharp criticism over antisemitic remarks he made in recent years, for which he issued an apology in January.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the booking as “deeply concerning,” noting that West had been selected “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism”.
The festival had been marketed as ‘Pepsi presents Wireless,’ with the beverage giant serving as the main sponsor.
Following West’s announcement, Pepsi confirmed its withdrawal. Diageo, whose brands Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan were listed as partners on the Wireless website, also withdrew its support.
Shortly after, festival organisers announced the cancellation in an Instagram statement.
They said they were “forced to cancel” due to a ban preventing Kanye from entering the UK and added that all ticket holders will receive automatic full refunds.
“As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel,” the statement reads.
“All ticket holders will receive an automatic full refund.”
According to Sky News, West applied to travel to the UK on Monday by requesting an electronic travel authorisation.
While the request was reportedly granted online, some ministers stepped in to block the approval.
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