Kanye West cancellation could see Wireless Festival lose staggering fee

EntertainmentPolitics
8 Apr 2026 • 2:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Wireless Festival has been cancelled for the first time in its 21-year history after headliner Kanye West was denied entry into the UK.
  • The Home Office withdrew West's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), preventing him from performing at the London festival.
  • This decision follows West's antisemitic statements made in 2025, for which he later apologised, attributing them to neurological damage and bipolar disorder.
  • An industry expert estimates the cancellation could result in over £30m in lost turnover for the festival, which is owned by Live Nation and Festival Republic.
  • Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer both earlier condemned the decision to book West as a headliner.

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