As sponsors withdraw from London’s Wireless Festival over its controversial headliner, US rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, festival organisers are standing by their booking.
Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, urged the public to offer “forgiveness and hope” and reminded critics that giving people a second chance is “becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world.” Ye is scheduled to perform for around 150,000 attendees across the festival’s three nights, from July 10 to 12.
The 48-year-old has faced international backlash in recent years for antisemitic comments and expressions of admiration for Adolf Hitler. Last year, he released the song Heil Hitler and sold swastika-themed merchandise. In January, Ye publicly apologised in a full-page Wall Street Journal advertisement, attributing his actions to a “four-month long, manic episode” caused by bipolar disorder. Despite the controversy, Benn emphasised that Ye would only perform his music, which is widely available on radio and streaming platforms, and not use the festival to promote extremist views.
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The decision has prompted a wave of sponsorship withdrawals, including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, and Diageo. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the booking “deeply concerning,” while Benn defended Ye’s legal right to perform in the country. The festival follows Ye’s recent comeback in Los Angeles, where fans at SoFi Stadium appeared willing to separate his music from his personal beliefs, reflecting a public debate over accountability, forgiveness, and artistic expression.
