Pepsi and Diageo have withdrawn their sponsorship of the Wireless Festival following backlash over Kanye West’s headline. Critics cite his past anti-Semitic statements, prompting calls from politicians to block his entry into the UK. The controversy highlights debates over accountability and platforms at cultural events, where West’s performance is now uncertain.
Pepsi has withdrawn as title sponsor of the Wireless Festival following backlash over the decision to feature Kanye West as the headliner.The drinks giant confirmed it will no longer support the festival scheduled to be held in north London in July, after mounting criticism over the rapper’s previous anti-Semitic comments.West, now known as Ye, was recently announced as the headline performer for all three days of the festival, which is traditionally marketed as “Pepsi Presents Wireless.”
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the detention “deeply troubling,” citing West’s past anti-Semitic comments and controversial statements.“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” he said, adding that Britain must remain a place where Jewish communities feel safe.Calls for action also came from across the political spectrum. Ed Davey urged authorities to ban Westerners from entering the UK, while Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch said individuals promoting hate speech should not be given a platform. UK reform leader Nigel Farage said he would not attend the event.
Along with Pepsi, Diageo has also withdrawn its support “as it stands.” Its brands, including Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan, are listed as partners in the festival.
A Diageo spokesman said the company had informed regulators of its concerns and would not sponsor the 2026 edition under the current circumstances.As of the last update, the partner details on the festival website appear to have been removed.
Controversy over Kanye West
West, 48, has faced continued criticism in recent years for his anti-Semitic statements and behavior. He apologized earlier this year, including through a public letter and a newspaper ad, saying he regretted his actions and felt “very afraid.”However, his past behavior, including offensive social media posts, controversial merchandise and statements that appear to praise Nazi ideology, continues to draw scrutiny.The rapper has not performed any concert in the United Kingdom since 2015, when he headlined the Glastonbury Festival.
The festival is under pressure
BBC News has learned that no application for a visa has been made for West to enter the UK. Meanwhile, Jewish community groups urged authorities to reconsider his involvement.A spokesman for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said West’s previous comments were “offensive and wrong” and did not reflect the city’s values, while noting that the booking decision rested with the festival organisers.The event, organized by Festival Republic, is scheduled to run from July 10-12, and has been described as a showcase of West’s “most popular recordings.”
An uncertain road ahead
As major sponsors decline and political pressures mount, questions remain about whether the West will ultimately do well.For now, the controversy has shifted the focus away from music to a broader debate about accountability, platforms and the responsibilities of cultural events in a polarized climate.
