Wireless Festival has been cancelled for the first time in its 21-year history. This follows the UK Home office’s decision to deny the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, entrance into the country as a result of previous antisemetic comments. Ye was scheduled to headline all three days of the annual festival.
The rapper came under public scrutiny in 2025, after a string of antisemetic tweets, statements, and the release of a song titled ‘Heil Hitler’. Major sponsors such as Pepsi withdrew from the 2026 installment of Wireless Festival following backlash after West’s announcement as headliner for the event. UK prime minister Keir Starmer shared similar sentiments, calling the booking “deeply concerning.”
Wireless Festival has been a staple in the London festival scene, taking place annually since 2005. What started out as an alternative rock festival, shifted to a hip-hop oriented event in recent years. Past headliners include Drake, 21 Savage and Travis Scott. In a statement event organisers ensured ticket holders that all purchases would be fully refunded, with £30M in potential earnings being lost as a result of the ordeal.
