Kanye West is headlining all three nights of London’s Wireless Festival in July, and the UK’s political establishment is losing it over his history of Nazi glorification and antisemitic rhetoric.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told The Sun on Sunday that the booking is “deeply concerning” given West’s previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism, emphasizing that “antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears.”
Diageo has officially pulled its sponsorship from the 2026 Wireless Festival, becoming the second major brand to distance itself from the event following backlash tied to Kanye West’s booking. The spirits and beverage company confirmed its decision after raising concerns with festival organizers, according to a statement reported by The Independent. The move follows Pepsi’s recent withdrawal from the festival after more than a decade of branding association. Pepsi had previously served as a title partner, with the event operating under co-branded naming rights in recent years. The back-to-back departures mark a major financial and public relations challenge for one of the United Kingdom’s most recognizable, impactful music festivals.
The 48-year-old rapper will perform to 150,000 people across July 10-12 at Finsbury Park in North London, marking his first UK concert since headlining Glastonbury in 2015. But his return to British stages comes loaded with controversy. Kanye West released a track called “Heil Hitler” last May on Victory in Europe Day, complete with pro-Hitler lyrics and speech samples. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called the decision “absolutely the wrong decision” and urged the government to ban West from entering the country. Major sponsors, including Pepsi and Diageo, have already pulled their support from the festival. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has the legal authority to block West’s entry if his presence is deemed “not conducive to the public good.”
Wireless Festival organizers have yet to publicly address the controversy or clarify whether West’s scheduled performances will proceed as planned. The rapper is currently slated to headline across three nights during the July event.
Industry insiders speculate whether or not the festival will find additional partners or make programming adjustments. Corporate sponsorships play a major role in the festival’s operations and visibility. Losing them is particularly significant as the event rapidly approaches.
