London’s Wireless Festival has been canceled following news that Ye’s (formerly known as Kanye West) entry into the U.K. was blocked by the Home Office on Tuesday (April 7).
Earlier in the day, the government confirmed to the BBC that Ye would be unable to enter the U.K. on an Electronic Travel Authorization visitor visa. The Home Office cited Ye’s past antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments, and said that his “presence would not be conducive to the public good.”
Ye had previously been announced as the headliner for all three nights of the annual London festival, due to take place July 10-12 in Finsbury Park.
Now, Festival Republic has issued a statement saying that Wireless Festival’s 2026 edition will no longer go ahead and refunds will be issued. The first passes to the event went on sale last week as part of a pre-sale; general sale was due to commence this Friday.
In a statement sent to Billboard, Festival Republic said, “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is canceled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.”
The promoter continued, “As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time.
“Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognize 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 U.K.”
A number of Jewish community organizations criticized the move, as did U.K. prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London. Labour MPs had called on the Home Office to deny Ye a travel visa based on his past antisemitic statements. Ye issued an apology for the statements in January via an ad in The Wall Street Journal.
Sponsors including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, Diageo, PayPal and more had withdrawn their association from the festival over the weekend. Melvin Benn, Festival Republic’s managing director, doubled down on the booking and called for “forgiveness” in relation to Ye’s past statements and his mental health.
On Tuesday morning, Ye issued a statement offering to meet with Jewish organizations. “My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love through my music. He continued, “I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough — I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
But by the afternoon in the U.K., however, his travel plans had been scuppered. The Home Office can deny entry to the U.K. based on previous past convictions, as has been the case with artists such as Lil Wayne and Chris Brown.
Entry can also be withdrawn if the applicant is likely to be conducive to the public good. In 2015, Tyler, The Creator was banned from entering the U.K. by then-home secretary Theresa May for alleged homophobic lyrics; the ban was lifted in 2019 and he has performed in the U.K. consistently since.
Wireless Festival has been held annually in the English capital since 2005; last year’s edition was headlined by Drake.
In a statement to Billboard, a spokesperson for the Mayor of London “welcomed” the decision to ban Ye from entering the U.K., adding that “the past comments and actions of this artist are hugely offensive and not reflective of London’s shared values.”
