LONDON — Wireless Festival was cancelled on Tuesday after the UK Home Office blocked headliner Kanye West from entering the country, organizers said.
The three-day event, scheduled for July 10-12 in Finsbury Park, north London, had been set to feature West — who now goes by Ye — as the sole announced headliner for all nights, marking his first UK performance in 11 years, Festival Republic said.
Festival Republic, a division of Live Nation and the event’s promoter, announced the cancellation in a statement after the Home Office withdrew West’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The government determined his presence “would not be conducive to the public good,” according to reports citing officials.
“The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.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 organizers said. “As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”
The statement added: “Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise 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 UK.”
The booking had drawn widespread criticism over West’s past antisemitic comments, which prompted major sponsors including Pepsi and Diageo to withdraw support in recent days. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said West “should never have been invited to headline Wireless” and that the government stood with the Jewish community.
West applied for the ETA on Monday. The decision to deny entry came amid pressure from Jewish organisations and politicians, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who had urged the Home Office to refuse permission under immigration rules.
Presale tickets for the festival sold out within hours of going on sale earlier Tuesday, with general sale scheduled for Wednesday, before the cancellation was announced. No other artists had been publicly named on the lineup.
Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn had previously defended the booking in interviews, citing themes of forgiveness. West had offered to meet representatives of the UK Jewish community, saying he was “here” to listen if invited.
As of Tuesday evening, organizers confirmed all ticket holders would receive automatic full refunds. No alternative dates or revised lineup were announced. Further details on the Home Office decision were not immediately available.
