The Wireless music festival has been cancelled after Kanye West, legally known as Ye, was denied entry to the UK due to his past antisemitic remarks. The Home Office revoked his electronic travel authorisation (ETA) on Monday, citing that his presence would not be conducive to the public good. The festival, scheduled for July, was set to feature Ye as headliner for all three days.
Organisers confirmed the cancellation on Tuesday, stating that refunds would be issued to all ticket holders. A spokesperson said: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless festival is cancelled.” The statement added that multiple stakeholders were consulted before booking Ye, and no concerns were raised at the time, but acknowledged that antisemitism is abhorrent.
The ban came as presales began for the event, leaving organisers with three headline slots to fill at short notice. Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn had earlier stated that Ye “intended to come in and perform” and that the festival was not giving him a platform to extol opinions, only to perform songs played on UK radio.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had criticised the booking, calling it “deeply concerning” given Ye’s past remarks. The Home Office initially granted the ETA online but rescinded it after ministerial review. Ye had previously apologised for his behaviour in a Wall Street Journal advert, attributing it to bipolar disorder, and offered to meet with the UK’s Jewish community.
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, welcomed the decision, saying: “The situation could and should have been resolved much earlier. We hope that lessons are learned across the industry.” The cancellation is estimated to have cost £30 million in lost revenue.
