7 April 2026<\/time>\n <\/p>\nWireless Festival has been cancelled after the Home Office withdrew Kanye\u2019s ETA, denying him entry to the UK.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kanye West being banned from the UK has led to the cancellation of Wireless 2026<\/p>\n
Festival Republic confirmed the decision in a statement, saying all ticket holders will receive refunds.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said: \u201cThe Home Office has withdrawn YE’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.”<\/p>\n
“As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.”<\/p>\n
“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAntisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.”<\/p>\n
\n“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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Home Office\u2019s decision follows mounting criticism of Kanye\u2019s past behaviour and antisemitic comments.<\/p>\n
\nA spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said earlier: \u201cDecisions are taken on a case-by-case basis in line with the law and the evidence available, but where individuals pose a threat to public safety or seek to spread extremism, the Government has not hesitated to act, and that includes cancelling permission to enter this country for extremist preachers and far-right figures.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHealth Secretary Wes Streeting said he was \u201cappalled\u201d by Kanye\u2019s behaviour and accused him of using his bipolar disorder as an \u201cexcuse\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: \u201cWhat I would say is that Kanye West has no business headlining the wireless festival.<\/p>\n
\nI think organisers showed a terrible error of judgement in inviting him.<\/p>\n
\nThese weren’t a couple of off colour remarks.<\/p>\n
\nThese were, I think, a pattern of behaviour.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAntisemitism is serious, it can be deadly and people like Kanye West, who have an enormous platform, fame, reach, they have to accept the responsibility that comes with that.<\/p>\n
\nAnd I don’t think he has.<\/p>\n
\nI’m only too disappointed the festival organisers are too blind to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nLast week, a spokesman for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: \u201cWe are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London\u2019s values.<\/p>\n
\nThis was a decision taken by the festival organisers and not one that City Hall is involved in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe cancellation comes despite Kanye\u2019s vow to bring \u201cpeace and love\u201d to Wireless.<\/p>\n
\nIn a statement released on Tuesday (07.04.26), he said he had been watching the reaction to his appearance and wanted to address it directly.<\/p>\n
\nHe explained that his goal was to come to London and \u201cpresent a show of change\u201d, adding that he hoped to bring unity through his music.<\/p>\n
\nHe also said he would welcome the chance to meet members of the UK\u2019s Jewish community, stressing that he understands words alone are not enough and that he must demonstrate change through his actions.<\/p>\n
\nKanye \u2014 who also goes by Ye \u2014 has faced widespread backlash in recent years for making antisemitic comments and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler, even releasing a track titled Heil Hitler and selling a T\u2011shirt featuring a swastika on his website.<\/p>\n
\nHe later issued an apology in a full\u2011page Wall Street Journal advert, writing that he is \u201cnot a Nazi or an antisemite\u201d and declaring his love for Jewish people.<\/p>\n
\nHe has since attributed his behaviour to a severe manic episode in early 2025, saying he lost touch with reality and deeply regrets the things he said and did.<\/p>\n
\nMelvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, defended the decision to keep Kanye on the bill before the ban.<\/p>\n
\nHe described himself as a lifelong anti\u2011fascist and said he had lived on a kibbutz in the 1970s that was later attacked on October 7.<\/p>\n
\nHe emphasised his support for Jewish people and the Jewish state, while also backing a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n
\nMelvin said Kanye\u2019s previous comments were \u201cabhorrent\u201d to him, but argued that the rapper\u2019s music is already widely available in the UK and that he has a legal right to perform.<\/p>\n
\nHe added that Wireless was not providing Kanye with a platform to express political views, only to perform songs already streamed by millions.<\/p>\n
\nHe urged the public to consider the value of forgiveness, saying that offering people a second chance is becoming a \u201clost virtue\u201d in an increasingly divided world.<\/p>\n
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