The Wireless Festival has been cancelled after headliner Kanye West, now known as Ye, was blocked from entering the UK. The decision by the Home Office came following a public backlash over West’s scheduled performance at the London festival this summer.
The rapper’s controversial history played a central role in the decision. Over the past several years, West has sparked outrage for a string of antisemitic, racist, and pro-Nazi remarks. The Home Office told the BBC that West’s application for travel via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was refused because his presence would “not be conducive to the public good.”
In a statement, Wireless Festival said: “The Home Office has withdrawn YE’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.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.” The organisers added that all stakeholders had been consulted before booking West, and no concerns were initially raised.
Jewish groups welcomed the government’s move. A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The government has clearly made the right decision here… Someone who has boasted about profiting from swastika merchandise and released a song titled Heil Hitler clearly would not be conducive to the public good in the UK.”
Earlier, West expressed a willingness to meet members of the UK Jewish community, acknowledging that “words aren’t enough” and promising to show change through his actions. The Board of Deputies of British Jews responded that any such meeting would be conditional on him not performing at Wireless this year.
Festival organisers and industry figures had faced criticism for defending West’s booking. Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, acknowledged West’s past behaviour as “abhorrent” but suggested that mental health factors should also be considered. Jewish groups, however, argued that his support sent the wrong message to both Jewish and broader communities.
Political figures across the UK weighed in. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the booking as unacceptable, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting described West’s apology as “mealy-mouthed and self-serving.” Opposition leaders, including Chris Philp and Sir Ed Davey, called for the rapper to be banned from the UK, with Nigel Farage saying he personally would not buy a ticket
