Ye issues statement over controversial Wireless headline booking
The response comes after Pepsi, Rockstar Energy & Diageo all withdrew their festival sponsorships
On March 30, Wireless Festival announced that Ye (fka Kanye West), would headline all three nights of this year's edition at Finsbury Park in London, on July 10–12.
This would mark his first UK performances in 11 years, since a 2015 Glastonbury appearance. A festival spokesperson described it as "an extraordinary chapter in Wireless' story".
The announcement drew criticism given Ye's record of antisemitic, racist, homophobic, and sexist statements, which include releasing a track called ‘Heil Hitler’ and selling a swastika-emblazoned T-shirt through his Yeezy platform.
In January, he had taken out a Wall Street Journal ad entitled “To Those I've Hurt”, apologising for his statements and attributing his behaviour to a 2002 head injury.
Sponsors Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, and Diageo withdrew their support after the announcement of Ye headlining the festival.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan also condemned the booking.
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Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Wireless Festival’s parent company Festival Republic, issued a statement on Monday defending the decision to keep the headliner.
He argued that Ye's music is already freely available on UK radio and streaming platforms, that he has a legal right to perform in the country, and that the festival was not providing him a platform for his views.
Benn also asked critics to “offer some forgiveness and hope”.
Ye has since released his own statement as an update to his previous “To Those I've Hurt” ad, saying his goal is to come to London and present "a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love" through his music.
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He also offered to meet with members of the Jewish community in London in person to listen, adding: “I know words aren't enough. I'll have to show change through my actions.”
"Even while claiming remorse today, #Ye's latest album includes a track first released last year with the abhorrent title Gas Chamber. 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… pic.twitter.com/Uts8sfbba4
— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) April 7, 2026
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has replied to his offer, saying it was “willing to meet Kanye West as part of his journey of healing, but only after he agrees not to play the Wireless Festival this year.”
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
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