A popular music festival in London has been canceled because Kanye West — the festival’s headliner — has been barred from entering the United Kingdom.
The announcement that West was set to headline the three-day Wireless Festival sparked criticism from Jewish groups and politicians. The cited that “Ye” repeated antisemitic remarks through the years, CNN reported.
This led to sponsors Pepsi and Diageo withdrawing from the event. The festival had been scheduled for July 10-12.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision for West to headline the festival “deeply concerning.”
British officials said West’s presence in the UK would not be conducive to the public good.
On Tuesday, Starmer said 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,” the British leader said in a statement posted on X.
“We will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values.”
With West not allowed to enter the country, Festival Republic, the firm that organizes Wireless Festival, said the event is called off.
“Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.
“Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK,” Festival Republic added.
The rapper previously issued a statement saying he had been following the conversation surrounding his Wireless appearance and wanted “to address it directly.”
“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music,” read the statement in an update to his Wall Street Journal letter “To Those I’ve Hurt,” circulated by Festival Republic earlier on Tuesday.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen,” West said.
“I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions,” he added. “If you’re open, I’m here.”
The charity Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) said the government “has clearly made the right decision.”
“Someone who has boasted of making tens of millions of dollars from selling swastika t-shirts and who released a song called ‘Heil Hitler’ just months ago clearly would not be conducive to the public good in the UK,” said a CAA spokesperson in a statement Tuesday.
“Wireless Festival, in its desperate quest for profit, defended the invitation until the end. That is shameful, and its sponsors should continue to stay away,” they added.
Jewish community organization the Board of Deputies of British Jews also said that it welcomed “the government listening to the concerns of Jews in the UK and preventing Kanye West from entering the country.”
