STORY
Wireless Festival is facing mounting uncertainty after major sponsors began pulling out amid a backlash over the booking of Ye, formerly Kanye West, as headliner. Pepsi and Diageo have withdrawn their sponsorship of the London event following criticism of the rapper’s history of antisemitic remarks and other extremist statements, with opponents warning that the controversy risks causing lasting damage to the festival’s reputation.
Pressure has also grown from political and community figures. Keir Starmer, Sadiq Khan and leading Jewish organisations have all criticised the decision to give Ye such a prominent platform, arguing that his past conduct makes the booking deeply troubling. Reports have also pointed to calls for further sponsors to reconsider their involvement as the row intensifies.
The dispute appears to be feeding into a wider public backlash, with anger online and reports of some music fans refusing to buy tickets in protest. Wireless, which is scheduled to take place in Finsbury Park from 10 to 12 July, has not publicly eased concerns, and the controversy has raised fresh doubts over whether the festival can move forward without further commercial and reputational fallout.