UK bans Kanye West — Wireless Festival cancelled
The UK Home Office has denied Kanye West — who performs as Ye — an Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the country, ruling that his presence would not be “conducive to the public good”. The decision immediately triggered the cancellation of Wireless Festival 2026, one of London’s flagship summer hip-hop events, which had been scheduled for 10–12 July at Finsbury Park.
West had been announced as the sole headliner for all three nights of the festival, a booking that sparked swift condemnation from Jewish groups and British politicians. The backlash centred on years of antisemitic statements by the artist, including a track titled “Heil Hitler” and the sale of merchandise bearing Nazi symbols. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the decision was “not reflective of London’s values”, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “deeply concerning”, stressing the need to protect the country’s Jewish community. Headline sponsor Pepsi dropped out within days of the announcement, and drinks company Diageo followed.
Festival organiser Festival Republic, co-promoting the event with Live Nation, initially defended the booking by calling for “forgiveness”. West himself issued a statement promising a “show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love”, and offered to meet members of the British Jewish community in person. Hours after that statement, the festival was cancelled.
In their official statement, organisers confirmed that the Home Office had withdrawn Ye’s ETA and that all ticket holders would receive an automatic full refund. Starmer was unequivocal: Ye “should never have been invited to headline Wireless”. West last performed in the UK at Glastonbury in 2015. His broader European comeback continues regardless — a concert at Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano is still scheduled for 30 July.
