Ban Kanye West from performing at Wireless festival, antisemitism charity urges

Coverage Comparison

Pressure is mounting on London's Wireless Festival over its decision to book Kanye West—now known legally as Ye—as the headline act for all three nights of the July event at Finsbury Park. The announcement has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Jewish organizations, and political leaders, and has led to the withdrawal of major sponsors.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told The Sun on Sunday that it was "deeply concerning" that West had been booked "despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism." He added that "antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears," according to multiple outlets including the BBC and The Guardian.

Pepsi, the festival's primary sponsor, announced on Sunday that it had "decided to withdraw its sponsorship," as reported by Agence France-Presse and The Jerusalem Post. Diageo, whose brands Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan were slated as partners, has also pulled out, according to ABC Australia and The Jerusalem Post. Rockstar Energy's withdrawal was reported by the BBC.

Wireless Festival's operating company, Live Nation, has not yet responded to requests for comment, per AFP.

Key Claims

West's history of antisemitic remarks: West has faced widespread condemnation since October 2022, when he wrote on social media that he would go "death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE," as reported by The Jerusalem Post. Last year, he released a song titled "Heil Hitler" and sold swastika T-shirts on his website, according to multiple sources including ABC Australia and The Guardian. He has also voiced admiration for Adolf Hitler.

West's apologies: West has apologized multiple times for his antisemitic remarks, including a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal in January 2025, in which he attributed his behavior to untreated bipolar I disorder, according to ABC Australia and The Jerusalem Post. He previously apologized in 2023 but later retracted that apology, per ABC Australia.

Government response: The UK government is reviewing whether West should be allowed to enter the country, with the Home Office confirming that ministers are considering his permission to enter, according to the BBC. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has the power to exclude foreign nationals whose presence is not "conducive to the public good," as noted by The Guardian and the BBC.

The Conservative Party has written to Mahmood urging her to refuse West a visa, with shadow home secretary Chris Philp saying West's past actions were "not a one-off lapse, but a pattern of behaviour that has caused real offence and distress to Jewish communities," as reported by the BBC.

Calls for a ban: The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called on the government to ban West from entering the UK, arguing that his presence would not be "conducive to the public good," per The Guardian. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also called for a ban, describing West's planned appearance as "extremely serious," according to The Guardian.

Sponsor withdrawals: Pepsi's withdrawal was confirmed by AFP, with the company not providing an explicit reason. Diageo's withdrawal was reported by ABC Australia and The Jerusalem Post. PayPal, a payment partner for the festival, will not appear in future promotional materials, as reported by the Press Association via The Guardian.

Promoter's defense: Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, which promotes Wireless, defended the booking, saying West "is intended to come in and perform" and that they are "not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country," as reported by The Guardian.

Perspectives

Critics: Starmer and Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, have condemned the booking. The Jewish Leadership Council called the festival organizers' decision "deeply irresponsible," according to The Guardian. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies, said it was "absolutely the wrong decision," per The Guardian.

Promoter: Benn has urged forgiveness, noting that West has apologized and blaming his past behavior on mental health issues. He said the festival is providing a stage for West's music, not his views.

Government: While Starmer has expressed concern, the government appears to be weighing legal and practical options regarding West's entry, with some ministers suggesting he should not perform.

Context

West has not performed in the UK since headlining Glastonbury in 2015, according to The Guardian. He was denied entry to Australia after releasing "Heil Hitler," as reported by ABC Australia. Freedom of Information papers obtained by ABC show West's team sought to reverse that decision.

The festival is scheduled for July 10-12 and is expected to draw around 50,000 attendees per day, according to The Jerusalem Post.

West's apology in January, in which he attributed his behavior to bipolar disorder, was noted by multiple outlets, though some have pointed out that he previously retracted a similar apology.

As of this reporting, the festival's official website still lists Pepsi and other sponsors, according to The Guardian.