Pepsi Drops Wireless Festival Over Kanye West Controversy

Pepsi has withdrawn its sponsorship from London’s Wireless Festival after public criticism of Kanye West’s planned headline appearance, the company confirmed.

The move follows political pressure in the UK over West’s booking. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply concerned” that West had been scheduled to perform, pointing to the artist’s history of antisemitic remarks. Starmer said the issue underscored the need to confront antisemitism.

West, who also uses the name Ye, is listed to headline the three-day rap and R&B event in north London from July 10-12. Festival organizers, Festival Republic, have been approached for comment about the situation.

Political criticism also came from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who called for West to be barred from entering the UK. Davey argued for a tougher stance on antisemitism, linking that position to whether West should be allowed to travel to the country for the festival.

Separately, the Home Office has not yet received an application for West to enter the UK. The status of any potential travel request remains unclear based on the information available.

West has faced widespread backlash in recent years over antisemitic statements. The source material cites a 2022 episode in which his social media accounts were locked after posts that violated platform rules. It also notes that he was banned from entering Australia last year.

In January, West issued an apology for past antisemitic behavior and said some of his actions were connected to his bipolar disorder. The apology is part of the public record referenced in the source material, but it has not ended controversy around his appearances and business relationships.

For markets and the live events industry, the sponsorship withdrawal highlights how reputational risk can quickly affect brand partnerships tied to major cultural events. The development also places additional scrutiny on festival booking decisions and on how organizers manage political and public concerns, particularly when high-profile performers are involved.