Wireless Festival cancelled after Kanye West banned from entering UK
Wireless Festival has officially been cancelled after Kanye West was banned by the UK government from entering the country.
In an official statement, the festival, which had booked the controversial rapper for three headline slots, shared, “The Home Office has withdrawn YE’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.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.”
Upon sharing the ruling, the government explained that West’s appearance would not be “conducive to the public good”.
The festival added, “As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”
This goes against the movement of many festival sponsors, as Pepsi, Diageo, and PayPal distanced themselves from the event following West’s controversial booking. It was also exclusively confirmed to Far Out that Rockstar Energy would be removing its sponsorship.
The official statement then added, “Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.”
Referencing the official open letter from the rapper, which apologised for his previous behaviour, they added: “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.”
West has an extensive history of antisemitic behaviours, not limited to claiming himself to be a Nazi, selling T-shirts with Swastikas, and releasing a song called ‘Heil Hitler’ last year.
In his open letter, the ‘Runaway’ musician posited, “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), a leading UK charity, previously said “we will play no part” in West’s offer to meet the Jewish community.
In light of his recent ban from entering the UK, they added: “The Government has clearly made the right decision here. For once, when it said that antisemitism has no place in the UK, it backed up its words with action.”
Pre-sale tickets for Wireless Festival, which was slated to take place in London’s Finsbury Park on July 10th, 11th and 12th, went on sale at midday on April 7th, and were understood to have sold out, though this is yet to be officially confirmed. General sale was due to begin at midday on April 8th, but will no longer go ahead.
One politician opposed to this move is the leader of the Reform Party, Nigel Farage, who shared earlier today at a press conference, “I think if we start banning people from entering the country because we don’t like what they say, I worry where that ends up.”
West is yet to comment on the festival cancellation.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.