Organizers of a popular London music festival say it has been canceled after the headliner,Kanye West
was blocked from traveling to the United Kingdom.
The announcement that West, who is known as Ye, would headline the three-day Wireless Festival had sparked criticism from Jewish groups and politicians, who highlighted his repeated antisemitic remarks in recent years.
The backlash saw major sponsors Pepsi and Diageo withdraw from the event, which had been scheduled for July 10-12. It also drew criticism from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had called the decision for West to headline “deeply concerning.”
Now, British officials have blocked West from entering the country, saying his presence in the UK would not be conducive to the public good.
On Tuesday, Starmer said that West “should never have been invited to headline Wireless.”
“This Government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism,” the British leader said in a statement posted on X.
“We will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values.”
In the wake of the government’s decision, Festival Republic, the firm that organizes Wireless Festival, said the event would be called off.
“Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.
“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,” Festival Republic added.
