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The UK's Wireless Festival has been called off after rapper Kanye West was blocked from entering the country, following widespread backlash over his past antisemitic remarks.
West, who had been announced as the headline act for the London-based festival scheduled for July, had his ETA withdrawn by the Home Office. According to officials, the decision was made on the grounds that his presence in the UK would not be "conducive to the public good."
In a statement confirming the development, festival organisers said: "The Home Office has withdrawn Ye's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders."
They added, "As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time. Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had."
The cancellation follows days of growing criticism after West was unveiled as the festival's main headliner on March 30. The announcement sparked backlash from politicians, Jewish organisations and members of the public, with some calling for the rapper to be denied entry into the UK altogether.
Several sponsors, including Pepsi and Diageo, withdrew their support shortly after the announcement, with Diageo confirming it had "informed the organisers of our concerns." The mounting pressure placed the future of the event in doubt even before the government's final decision.
Before being barred, West attempted to respond to the controversy in a public statement, saying he had been "following the conversation around Wireless" and wanted "to address it directly." He said, "My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music."
He also expressed a willingness to engage directly with those affected by his past remarks, adding, "I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen."
Despite these remarks, criticism continued to intensify. Political leaders described the decision to book West as troubling, while Jewish advocacy groups argued that his previous statements had caused significant harm and required accountability beyond public apologies.
Festival organisers reiterated West's own acknowledgement that "words alone are not enough" and noted that he still hoped "to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK."
The situation escalated quickly, with the government ultimately stepping in to block his entry. The move effectively left organisers without their headline act just months before the event, making it difficult to secure a replacement of similar scale within a short timeframe.
