Wireless Festival has been cancelled after the UK government refused entry to Kanye West, also known as Ye, following mounting backlash over his planned appearance at the London event.

In a statement, festival organisers confirmed that the Home Office had withdrawn West’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), effectively preventing him from travelling to the UK. “As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders,” the statement said.

The decision comes after widespread criticism of the rapper, who in recent years has sparked outrage over a series of antisemitic, racist and pro-Nazi remarks. His scheduled headline performance had already led to political pressure and the withdrawal of several sponsors.

The Home Office said West applied for entry on Monday but was denied permission on the grounds that his presence would not be “conducive to the public good.” Travellers to the UK who do not require a visa for short stays must obtain an ETA before arrival.

Organisers defended their initial booking, stating that “multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance” and that no concerns were raised at the time. However, they acknowledged the seriousness of the controversy, adding: “Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.”

The cancellation follows a turbulent lead-up to the festival. Presale tickets released earlier in the week were believed to have sold out, with general sales due to begin shortly before the announcement.

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the government’s decision to block West’s entry, calling it the “right decision.” A spokesperson for the group criticised festival organisers, questioning how concerns about the artist were not identified earlier and suggesting commercial interests had taken precedence.

The group also pointed to shifting messaging from organisers, noting that stronger condemnation of antisemitism came only after the situation escalated and sponsors withdrew.

Earlier on Tuesday, West had expressed a willingness to engage with members of the UK’s Jewish community, saying he would be “grateful” for the opportunity to meet and begin a dialogue.

Pressure is intensifying on UK authorities and festival organisers to cancel an upcoming performance by Kanye West, also known as Ye, at a major London music event following backlash over his past antisemitic remarks and actions.

The US rapper is scheduled to headline all three nights of the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park from 10–12 July, an event expected to draw around 50,000 attendees each day. However, his booking has sparked strong criticism from politicians and Jewish organisations, with some urging the government to deny him entry into the country.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the situation as “deeply concerning,” while members of the Conservative Party have called for West to be refused a visa, arguing that allowing him to headline such a high-profile event sends the wrong message.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the artist’s previous antisemitic behaviour represented a “pattern” rather than an isolated incident, adding that it had caused significant distress within Jewish communities. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also condemned West’s past comments as “completely unacceptable and absolutely disgusting,” stating there should be no platform for hate or bigotry.

The controversy follows a series of actions by the artist last year, including the release of a song titled “Heil Hitler” and the sale of clothing featuring swastika imagery. West later apologised, attributing his behaviour to struggles with bipolar disorder.

Corporate support for the festival has already begun to waver. On Sunday, headline sponsor Pepsi withdrew its backing, while drinks company Diageo also distanced itself from the event. Payment partner PayPal has reportedly asked for its branding to be removed from promotional materials.

Jewish advocacy groups have also voiced strong opposition. The Board of Deputies of British Jews called on the government to take decisive action, with its chief executive suggesting that denying West entry would be an appropriate response. The organisation also accused festival organisers of profiting from controversy.

Similarly, the Campaign Against Antisemitism criticised the booking as “astonishing,” questioning how the artist could be selected to headline given the recent nature of his actions.

Festival Republic, which organises Wireless, has not publicly responded to the criticism.

The Home Office has declined to comment further, beyond reiterating the prime minister’s stance that antisemitism must be firmly confronted. As pressure continues to mount, it remains unclear whether the government will intervene or allow the performance to proceed as planned.

Céline Dion has announced a highly anticipated return to the stage, four years after being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a condition that affected her voice and mobility.

The global superstar will perform a 10-night residency at the Paris La Défense Arena in Paris this September and October. The announcement coincided with her 58th birthday, which she described as “the best gift of my life.”

Speaking to fans, Dion said she feels strong and ready to return: “I’m so ready to do this… I’m feeling good, I’m strong, I’m feeling excited—and of course, a little nervous.”

She also shared an update on her health, saying she is managing the condition well, has resumed singing, and is even doing “a little bit of dancing.” She expressed gratitude to fans for their continued support during her time away from performing.

Dion has not headlined her own concert since March 2020 in Newark, after her Courage world tour was halted by the pandemic and later cancelled following her diagnosis in December 2022.

Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare neurological condition affecting roughly 8,000 people worldwide. It disrupts communication between nerves and muscles, leading to severe muscle spasms and mobility challenges. There is currently no known cure.

To accommodate her health, the upcoming shows are spaced out over several days to reduce physical strain. Tickets are set to go on sale from 7 April, with demand expected to be extremely high.