Keir Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates
Keir Starmer Expresses Concern Over Kanye West’s Festival Headlining
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced alarm regarding Kanye West’s upcoming appearance at the Wireless Festival in London this summer. The event, scheduled for July 10-12, will feature the rapper as its main act, sparking debate over his recent controversial remarks. West, who has since adopted the stage name Ye, faced backlash for antisemitic comments in previous years, which he addressed in a public apology in January.
Withdrawal of Sponsorship
Pepsi, the primary sponsor of the festival, has confirmed its decision to cease supporting the event. The brand cited West’s “previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism” as reasons for its move. Starmer emphasized that “antisemitism in any form is abhorrent” and called for a strong response to such attitudes, stating, “Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain remains a safe space for Jewish communities.”
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” Starmer said. “Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”
Historical Controversies
Kanye West, 48, has been embroiled in various controversies over the years. In 2022, his social media account was suspended multiple times for posts violating platform guidelines, including an image merging a swastika with the Star of David and a statement about targeting Jewish people. The same year, he faced criticism for wearing a “white lives matter” T-shirt at Paris fashion week, leading to Adidas ending its collaboration with him.
West’s actions have extended to his music. Last year, he was barred from entering Australia after releasing a track titled “Heil Hitler,” which praised the Nazi leader. Earlier in 2025, he declared himself a Nazi, retracting an earlier apology for his antisemitic remarks and selling swastika-themed T-shirts on his website.
Recent Apologies and Appearances
Despite past criticism, West has sought to reconcile. In November 2025, he met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto and reportedly expressed regret over his earlier antisemitic comments. He later published a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal in January, stating, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite,” and explaining that his bipolar disorder caused him to “lose touch with reality” during a manic episode.
Though he has not performed in the UK since 2015, his latest album *Bully* includes three tracks in the UK’s top 100 singles chart. The Wireless Festival has framed its event as a “three-night journey through his most iconic records,” highlighting his musical legacy.
Political Responses
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged the government to ban West from entering the UK, calling his planned appearance “extremely serious” and advocating for stricter measures against antisemitism. As of now, the Home Office has not received an application for his entry. Meanwhile, the London Mayor’s office remarked, “We are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong,” though it noted the decision was made by the festival organizers, not City Hall.
Festival Republic, the organizers of Wireless, have yet to comment on the controversy. The festival’s website, however, still lists Pepsi MAX as a longstanding partner, despite the recent withdrawal of sponsorship. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between artistic expression and cultural sensitivity in the UK.