Wireless Festival cancelled after UK denies entry to Kanye West

The Wireless Festival has been cancelled after the British government blocked headliner Kanye West, now known as Ye, from entering the country, citing public interest concerns.

The Home Office refused West's application for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on the grounds that his presence would not be "conducive to the public good".

The decision follows several years of antisemitic, racist and pro-Nazi comments by the rapper. Among the incidents cited was a 2022 social media post in which he wrote "death con 3 On Jewish people."

West also drew criticism for remarks made on Alex Jones's podcast in 2022, where he said, "I see good things about Hitler." In May 2025, he released a song titled "Heil Hitler" and sold swastika-themed T-shirts, reports the BBC.

Festival organisers and political reaction

Wireless Festival organisers said refunds would be issued to all ticket holders, adding in a statement: "Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had."

Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, had previously defended the booking, saying: "Mental health is not something that disappears overnight. People suffer psychotic behaviour, suffer bipolar behaviour, for many, many years... And I think people are forgetting that."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "Kanye 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."

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said, "If he wants forgiveness, it's not my forgiveness he needs. It's the forgiveness of the Jewish communities and I don't think he's done anything to earn it."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the rapper was "guilty of appalling antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments," while Nigel Farage added, "I wouldn't recommend anyone buys a ticket."

Jewish advocacy groups also backed the move. The Community Security Trust said, "Anti-Jewish hatred should have no place in society and cultural leaders have a role to play in ensuring that is the case."

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said, "Nobody knows what would have come out of Kanye West's mouth next if you would have given him the stage at Wireless Festival."

The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed the decision earlier, describing it as a "sensible outcome" to a "bruising episode for British Jews".

Artist and fan response

West said in statements, "I know words aren't enough. I'll have to show change through my actions. If you're open, I'm here," referring to his desire to meet with the UK Jewish community.

In a separate remark to a crowd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, he said, "Tonight we're going to put all this behind us, ain't that right LA?"

Reaction among fans was mixed. Chris Haydon, a fan from Kent, said, "I am a Kanye West fan, but it is absolutely the right decision. It was ludicrous to even book Kanye for Wireless in the first place."

Another fan, Courtney, said, "I was really disappointed. Everything that's going on in the UK at the moment [when it comes to free speech] is absolutely ridiculous."

Daniel, another fan, said, "I feel that people should vote with their money, and if people didn't agree with what he said, then they shouldn't buy tickets. The government stepping in... completely breaks the fact that people should be able to vote with their money."

Rosie, a festival-goer, said, "From a selfish point of view, I feel more resentment towards him as an artist. It's inexcusable now really."