Wireless Festival has announced that its 2026 event will be cancelled after headliner Kanye West was denied entry into the UK.
The American rapper was set to perform at the three-night north London event in July, however the Home Office stopped him on the grounds that his presence in the UK would “not be conducive to the public good”.
West made a series of antisemitic statements last year, released a song called “Heil Hitler” and made T-shirts featuring a swastika available for sale on his website.
While he issued an apology in January over the comments, West being announced in March as the headliner for the festival resulted in widespread backlash – and now that the rapper’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been withdrawn, the event has been scrapped this year altogether.
A spokesperson from the festival said in a statement on Tuesday: “The Home Office has withdrawn YE's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.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.”
Prime minister Keir Starmer condemned the decision for the rapper to headline the festival and vowed to “always take the action necessary to protect the public”.
Key Points
- Wireless Festival cancelled after US rapper Kanye West blocked from entering UK
- Statement from Wireless organisers in full
- Rapper's repeated antisemitic behaviour included releasing song called Heil Hitler
- West has apologised for comments and said he has bipolar disorder and is 'not a Nazi'
- Starmer condemns Wireless festival's decision to invite West to headline
- Group protecting British Jews from antisemitism describes government's decision as 'sensible'
Watch: Jewish groups criticise Kanye headlining Wireless
05:00 , Tara CobhamBoard of Deputies of British Jews 'willing to meet West if he pulled out of Wireless'
04:00 , Tara CobhamPhil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, had said the group would be willing to meet West if he pulled out of Wireless.
Mr Rosenberg said: “It has been less than a year since Kanye West released a song entitled Heil Hitler, the culmination of three years of appalling antisemitism.
“He also made a number of deeply offensive comments about the black community, saying that the 400-year experience of slavery was ‘like a choice’.
“Even while claiming remorse today, his latest album includes a track first released last year with the abhorrent title Gas Chamber.”
He continued: “The Jewish community will want to see a genuine remorse and change before believing that the appropriate place to test this sincerity is on the main stage at the Wireless Festival.
“As such, we are willing to meet Kanye West as part of his journey of healing, but only after he agrees not to play the Wireless Festival for this year.”
Comment: No one books Kanye West by accident – his platforming is a very deliberate choice
03:00 , Tara CobhamThere are artists whose work we can sometimes separate from their views, and then there are artists who make that separation impossible. Kanye West crossed that line a long time ago. His repeated, explicit racism is not incidental to his public persona; it defines it. That is why he should not be allowed to perform in the UK.
It is absurd that a Jew should have to write an op-ed explaining why a man who has openly praised Hitler – including declaring, “I like Hitler”, and, “I’m a Nazi” – should not be given a stage in a major London park. This rhetoric has not stayed confined to interviews; it has bled into his music and public output, where antisemitic ideas are amplified. That this even requires argument tells you something about how low the bar has fallen.
Over the past few years, he has denied and trivialised Jewish suffering, and repeatedly invoked conspiracies about Jewish control of media and finance. These are not slips. Releasing a track titled “Heil Hitler” is not a slip. It is a decision – one that requires time, intent and execution.
Teddy Leifer writes:
West barred from UK as his presence would 'not be conducive to public good'
02:00 , Tara CobhamKanye West made an application to travel to the UK on Monday via an electronic travel authorisation, but the Home Office stopped him on the grounds that his presence in the UK would “not be conducive to the public good”.
West’s ETA was initially granted online before ministers intervened.
Watch: Why Kanye West was banned from performing in the UK
01:00 , Tara CobhamHealth secretary says West's use of bipolar disorder to justify actions is 'appalling'
00:00 , Tara CobhamHealth secretary Wes Streeting has said he thinks the use of bipolar disorder by Kanye West to justify his actions is “appalling”.
Mr Streeting said: “When Kanye West uses bipolar disorder to justify his actions, I think that is equally appalling by the way.”
He added: “I would ask people to consider, does using bipolar disorder as an excuse to write and release a song called Heil Hitler and plaster it across T-shirts, does bipolar disorder really justify that? Or is it an excuse to justify rotten behaviour?”
Full story: Kanye West banned from entering UK to headline Wireless Festival in row over antisemitic comments
23:00 , Tara CobhamKanye West has been blocked from travelling to the UK to headline Wireless Festival after a row over his antisemitic comments and growing pressure on the government to intervene.
The rapper applied to travel to the country on Monday via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), but the Home Office stopped him because his presence in the UK would “not be conducive to the public good”, it is understood.
Shortly after, Wireless Festival said it had cancelled the three-day event, and all ticketholders would be issued a refund.
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Kanye West banned from entering UK after row over headlining Wireless Festival
Board of Deputies of British Jews still 'prepared to have conversation' with Kanye West
22:39 , Tara CobhamLuke Reevey reports:
The Board of Deputies of British Jews is still “prepared to have a conversation” with Kanye West.
The group’s president Phil Rosenberg told The Independent: “We're interested to see whether he's still interested. If he is still interested, we are genuine, we would be prepared to have that conversation with him. We'll see if the interest is still there now that the festival is cancelled.”
Watch: Streeting blasts 'appalling' decision to book Kanye West for Wireless Festival
22:00 , Tara CobhamJonah Hill reacts to ‘bizarre’ Kanye West post about 21 Jump Street making him ‘like Jewish people again’
21:00 , Tara CobhamJonah Hill has addressed an old Kanye West Instagram post, in which the rapper claimed the actor’s performance in 21 Jump Street made him “like Jewish people again.”
The disgraced rapper, 48, made the bizarre declaration in 2023, adding that “no one should take anger against one or two individuals and transform that into hatred towards millions of innocent people.”
“No Christian can be labeled antisemite knowing Jesus is Jew,” West wrote at the time. “Thank you Jonah Hill I love you.”
Inga Parkel reports:
Jonah Hill reacts to ‘bizarre’ Kanye West post about liking ‘Jewish people again’
Farage calls West's previous comments 'vile' but warned against banning rapper from UK
20:30 , Tara CobhamDuring a press conference on Tuesday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called Kanye West’s previous comments “really vile”, adding: “The sort of rabbit hole antisemitism/Nazism that he’s gone down is vile.”
However, the politician warned against banning the hip-hop star from coming into the UK, adding: “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.
“If Keir Starmer was to ban people coming into Britain, with whose views he doesn’t like, almost everybody wouldn’t be allowed in. I think it’s a dangerous path to go down.”
Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo withdrew sponsorships from Wireless after West announced as headliner
20:00 , Tara CobhamPepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo withdrew their major sponsorships from Wireless festival after Kanye West was announced as the headline act.
It is understood that the Mayor of London’s office had refused permission for the London Stadium in Stratford to stage a West concert this summer, with sources citing community concerns and the reputational impact on the city.
Comment: There can be no apologising for Kanye West
19:30 , Tara CobhamMelvin Benn, the man responsible for booking Kanye West for Wireless Festival, knows the power of goodwill. On the UK music festival scene, he is king.
The promoter who once said he is proud that, at his events, “people want to be paid but they don’t just take the money and run” is accused of doing just that, of putting on Kanye West at one of his festivals, Wireless, knowing that the US rapper’s antisemitic views would cause offence and putting profit ahead of decency.
At any rate, the festival has now been cancelled. The government has stepped in, blocking West from entering the UK “as his presence would not be conducive to the public good”. A scandal that should never have made it to state level has now required higher powers to take responsibility.
Chris Blackhurst writes:
Festival organisers had defended Kanye West decision
19:00 , Tara CobhamFestival Republic managing director Melvin Benn had defended the decision to put Kanye West on the bill, describing himself as a “deeply committed anti-fascist” and “person of forgiveness”.
In a statement, Mr Benn added: “We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions.”
Watch: Kanye West on being bipolar
18:40 , Tara Cobham'Situation should have been resolved earlier,' Board of Deputies of British Jews says
18:20 , Tara CobhamThe Board of Deputies of British Jews has said “the situation could and should have been resolved much earlier” after Wireless Festival was cancelled following Kanye West being blocked from entering the UK.
Phil Rosenberg, the president of the board, said: “It is deeply regrettable that Wireless Festival invited him in the first place and then doubled down when the Jewish community and our allies objected.
“We note that the festival has now been cancelled but it should never have reached this point. The situation could and should have been resolved much earlier.
“We hope that lessons are learned across the industry. Music festivals should be places where all communities feel welcome, not venues that platform individuals with records of profiteering from antisemitism, racism and other repulsive views.
“We are immensely grateful for the support of those across the political spectrum and from other minority and faith communities. It should not be for the Jewish community alone to advocate for our safety; it is incumbent on the entire arts and culture sector, and civil society as a whole, to recognise the scourge of antisemitism and heed the concerns of Jews when problematic acts are booked.”
Mr Rosenberg also welcomed the Government’s announcement that West will be banned from entering the country.
“We welcome the Government listening to the concerns of Jews in the UK and preventing Kanye West from entering the country,” he said.
Wireless Festival ‘could lose £30m’ in potential earnings from Kanye West cancellation, says industry boss
18:00 , Tara CobhamWireless Festival has been cancelled for the first time in its 21-year history after headliner Kanye West was denied entry into the UK to perform – and now it’s been estimated that the saga could cost the festival over £30m in potential earnings.
The London-based festival, which is owned and managed by entertainment company Live Nation and its subsidiary Festival Republic, announced on Tuesday (7 April) that the three-night event would not go ahead in July after West’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was cancelled.
“The Home Office has withdrawn YE's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom,” a spokesperson said. “As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.”
Lauren Morris reports:
Wireless ‘could lose £30m’ in potential earnings from Kanye West axe
More than half of Britons agree with government's decision to bar West, new poll shows
17:40 , Tara CobhamMore than half of Britons agree with the government’s decision not to allow Kanye West to enter the UK, according to a new survey.
While 57 per cent of those polled by YouGov believe West should not be allowed to enter the country, only 18 per cent said he should be allowed.
57% of Britons say Kanye West should not be allowed to enter the UK, with the government withdrawing permission for the rapper to enter today following public and media pressure
— YouGov (@YouGov) April 7, 2026
Should be allowed: 18%
Should not be allowed: 57%
Results link in replies pic.twitter.com/HfL1u0k5Ao
High-profile performers who have been blocked from entering the UK
17:13 , Tara CobhamKanye West, now known as Ye, is not the first performer to have been refused entry to the UK.
– Tyler, The Creator
The American rapper was banned by the then home secretary in 2015. He claimed he was barred because of lyrics he wrote in 2009. His manager insisted they were “the type of lyrics he hasn’t written since”, adding: “Highlights from the letter include that his work encourages violence and intolerance of homosexuality.”
– Snoop Dogg
Snoop was banned from the UK in 2006 following a disturbance at Heathrow Airport, but it was eventually lifted, allowing him to play at Glastonbury in 2010.
The Drop It Like It’s Hot rapper is now co-owner of Championship football club Swansea City.
– Chris Brown
The R&B singer was denied a visa to enter the country days before his UK tour was due to start in 2010.
The US star had previously been sentenced to community labour for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna, the pop singer.
Separately, Brown is due to face a jury trial on 26 October over an allegation he attacked a former friend at a private members’ club in Mayfair.
At earlier hearings, Brown was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions, which also allowed him to go on a world tour as long as he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country.
– Julien Blanc
The American “pick-up artist” was blocked in 2014 after his advice on how to attract women sparked fury. He had been planning to hold seminars in the UK but had his visa application turned down.
Full story: Kanye West says he is not a Nazi and that car crash caused bipolar diagnosis
16:54 , Tara CobhamThe rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, denied he is a Nazi and claimed that a car crash 25 years ago led to him being diagnosed as bipolar.
In a full-page advert he had taken out in US newspaper The Wall Street Journal in January, the 48-year-old said he was not asking for “sympathy or a free pass” and said he wanted to earn forgiveness from the public.
The star also apologised to the black community, saying he had let it down.
Read the full story here:
Kanye West says he is not a Nazi and that car crash caused bipolar diagnosis
Fans who have bought tickets to Wireless will be refunded
16:35 , Tara CobhamMusic fans who have purchased tickets for Wireless Festival will now be refunded.
Presale tickets for the event were released at 12pm on Tuesday and are believed to have sold out, while the general sale was due to open at 12pm on Wednesday.
Campaign Against Antisemitism says government 'clearly made right decision'
16:15 , Tara CobhamThe Campaign Against Antisemitism has said the government “has clearly made the right decision” after blocking Kanye West from entering the UK following controversy over his planned headline sets at this summer’s Wireless Festival in London.
A spokesperson from the CAA said: “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.
“Someone who has boasted of making tens of millions of dollars from selling swastika t-shirts and who released a song called ‘Heil Hitler’ just months ago clearly would not be conducive to the public good in the UK.
“Wireless Festival, in its desperate quest for profit, defended the invitation until the end. That is shameful, and its sponsors should continue to stay away.”
West has apologised for comments and said he has bipolar disorder and is 'not a Nazi'
16:00 , Tara CobhamKanye West apologised for his comments earlier this year and said he has bipolar disorder and is “not a Nazi or an antisemite”.
In January, the rapper took out a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal to apologise, titled: “To Those I’ve Hurt.”
“I am not a Nazi or an antisemite,” it said. “I love Jewish people.”
In his letter, he said his bipolar disorder led him to fall into “a four-month-long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life”.
Holocaust Educational Trust chief warns antisemitism has become 'normalised'
15:45 , Tara CobhamThe chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust has said the debate around Kanye West’s planned set at Wireless Festival shows antisemitism has been “normalised”.
Responding to the Government’s decision to block the US rapper from travelling to the UK, Karen Pollock said: “This is the right decision, but it’s a sorry state of affairs when the Government has to intervene because Wireless doubled down on their decision to knowingly book a racist.
“Kanye West sold merchandise with swastikas, had a song called Heil Hitler and called for ‘death con 3′ of Jews. He might have apologised but that does not give him the automatic right to headline a major festival.
“In an age when Jewish communities are facing regular acts of violence, this whole debate sadly shows how normalised antisemitism has become.
“No other community would be told to ‘forgive’ or ‘talk’ – the disgusting racism would be recognised for what it is.
“Our focus now must be on stamping out anti-Jewish hatred once and for all.”
Watch: Wireless Festival cancelled as UK government deny Kanye West entry
15:41 , Tara CobhamKanye West had offered to meet British Jewish community before now-cancelled show
15:28 , Tara CobhamKanye West had offered to meet the British Jewish community before the show that has now been cancelled.
He said in a statement before the government’s decision: “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly.
“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.
“I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions.
“If you’re open, I’m here.”
Group protecting British Jews from antisemitism describes government's decision as 'sensible'
15:25 , Tara CobhamThe Community Security Trust (CST), which aims to protect British Jews from antisemitism, described the government’s decision as “a sensible outcome to what has been yet another bruising episode for British Jews”.
Its statement added: “Anti-Jewish hatred should have no place in society and cultural leaders have a role to play in ensuring that is the case.
“People who show genuine and meaningful remorse for previous antisemitic behaviour will always receive a sympathetic hearing from the Jewish community, but that process must come before this kind of public rehabilitation.”
Rapper's repeated antisemitic behaviour included releasing song called Heil Hitler
15:23 , Tara CobhamThe Wireless headline sets provoked calls for Kanye West to be banned from the UK over repeated antisemitic behaviour.
This included releasing a song called Heil Hitler and advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.
Starmer condemns Wireless festival's decision to invite Kanye West to headline
15:19 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer said Kanye West “should never have been invited” to headline the Wireless festival and “we will always take the action necessary to protect the public” after the US rapper was blocked from entering the UK.
The prime minister 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.
“We will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values.”
Statement from Wireless organisers in full
15:19 , Tara CobhamA statement from organiser Festival Republic read: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA (electronic travel authorisation), denying him entry into the United Kingdom.
“As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket-holders.
“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time.
“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.”
Wireless Festival cancelled after US rapper Kanye West blocked from entering UK
15:18 , Tara CobhamWireless Festival has been cancelled after US rapper Kanye West was blocked from entering the UK.
Music fans who have purchased tickets for the three performances by West, now known as Ye, scheduled for July in London’s Finsbury Park, will now be refunded.
