Wireless Festival Cancelled Following News Ye Is Blocked From Travelling To The UK

Wireless organisers have confirmed that this year’s festival will no longer be going ahead in light of the news that Ye will no longer be permitted entry to the UK.

Last week, it was announced that Ye – formerly known as Kanye West – had been booked to headline all three nights of the event, which was due to take place at London’s Finsbury Park in July.

This news was met with a near-immediate backlash because of a variety of antisemitic comments made by the Grammy-winning musician last year.

Ye’s remarks and actions included praising Adolf Hitler, declaring himself to be a Nazi, selling a t-shirt on his web store emblazoned with a swastika on his online web store and the release of a single titled Heil Hitler, which led to his Australian work visa being revoked.

London mayor Sadiq Khan and UK prime minister Keir Starmer were among those to raise questions about Ye’s Wireless booking, with numerous brands pulling their sponsorship as the backlash intensified.

On Tuesday afternoon, it was finally announced that Ye would no longer be permitted access to the UK, meaning his Wireless set could not go ahead.

Wireless subsequently said in a statement to the press: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.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.

“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”

They added: “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.”

In January 2026, the Touch The Sky rapper – who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a decade ago – issued a public apology for his behaviour in a full-page magazine ad addressed to “those I’ve hurt”.

Ye claimed in his public statement that his antisemitic comments had come during a months-long manic episode where he said he had “lost touch with reality”.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ye had issued a fresh statement, saying: “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.”

Ye previously dismissed the suggestion that his apology was a “PR move” intended to help him “release music” and “operate [his] businesses” as he had before the backlash he sparked controversies 2025.

“This isn’t about reviving my commerciality,” he told Vanity Fair. “This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit.

“I owe a huge apology once again for everything that I said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities in particular. All of it went too far. I look at wreckage of my episode and realise that this isn’t who I am.

“As a public figure, so many people follow and listen to my every word. It’s important that they realise and understand what side of history that I want to stand on.”