Corporate backers are rapidly abandoning London’s upcoming Wireless Festival amid growing outrage over the decision to book Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, for a massive three-day headline slot.
On Sunday, beverage heavyweight Pepsi officially severed ties with the music event, ending a nearly decade-long run of the event being billed as «Pepsi MAX Presents Wireless.» While Pepsi abstained from mentioning Ye by name, their departure followed intense public scrutiny.
Within hours, Diageo, the global spirits distributor behind Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker, also pulled its sponsorship. Both corporations had been facing mounting digital pressure from critics who argued that funding the festival was tantamount to endorsing its controversial main act.
Swift Political Condemnation
The corporate flight was catalyzed by swift backlash from the highest levels of British government, centered on the rapper’s history of antisemitic rhetoric and past praise for Nazism. Prominent leaders speaking out include:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer: The PM labeled the booking «deeply concerning.» He emphasized that «antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,» stressing the necessity of ensuring the UK remains a secure environment for Jewish citizens.
- Ed Davey: The Liberal Democrat leader took a harder stance, urging authorities to deny Ye entry into the United Kingdom entirely.
- Sadiq Khan: London’s mayor explicitly distanced his administration from the event, noting that Ye’s historical conduct severely clashes with the capital’s core values.
The Show Goes On?
Despite the snowballing PR crisis, Wireless Festival organizers appear to be holding firm. The event’s official site still proudly bills Ye as the exclusive headliner for the July 10–12 weekend at Finsbury Park. If it proceeds, it will mark his first performance on British soil in over ten years. Tickets are slated to drop this week, even though the festival’s undercard remains completely empty.
British Jewish advocacy groups have slammed the festival’s organizers for their «irresponsible» choice to amplify the rapper, urging them to reconsider the booking. As the pressure mounts, the live music industry is waiting to see if the festival’s remaining partners will also jump ship.
This trans-Atlantic controversy coincides with Ye’s broader efforts to re-enter the live music sphere. He recently wrapped up two Los Angeles arena dates, bringing out high-profile guests like Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and Lauryn Hill.
