Diageo and Pepsi have withdrawn sponsorship from the 2026 Wireless Festival, as controversy mounts over headliner Kanye West.
The move follows mounting political and public pressure, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer joining criticism of the festival’s decision to book the rapper for all three headline slots at the July event in London’s Finsbury Park.
Starmer said: “It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of nazism.
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure,” he added, in comments first reported by the Sun on Sunday.
Pepsi confirmed it has pulled its backing of the event, while Diageo, owner of brands including Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan, said it had raised concerns with organisers and will no longer sponsor the festival in its current form.
The withdrawals represent a significant commercial blow to the high-profile music event, raising questions over its viability and broader brand partnerships.
West, who now goes by Ye, has faced sustained backlash in recent years over antisemitic remarks and controversial public statements, including expressions of admiration for Adolf Hitler and the release of a track titled “Heil Hitler”.
Government sources indicate the artist has yet to apply for entry to the UK and could face restrictions under powers that allow authorities to deny entry if deemed not in the public interest.
Starmer said the booking was “deeply concerning”, adding that antisemitism “must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears”.
With two major sponsors now stepping back and political scrutiny intensifying, uncertainty is growing over whether the 2026 Wireless Festival will proceed as planned.
Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, has called on the government to ban West from entering the UK, saying: “We need to get tougher on antisemitism.” He described West’s planned appearance as “extremely serious”.