Kanye West booking sparks sponsorship crisis for London music festival

Pepsi has withdrawn its sponsorship of London’s Wireless Festival after the event announced Kanye West as its headline act.

The beverage giant confirmed its decision in a statement, stepping away from the festival where West is scheduled to perform across all three nights from July 10 to July 12.

Pepsi had previously served as the event’s headline partner. The move comes amid a broader sponsor exodus. PayPal and Diageo are among the major backers also reported to have withdrawn support following the controversial booking.

The backlash intensified after Keir Starmer publicly criticized the decision to feature West, citing the rapper’s history of antisemitic remarks.

“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” Starmer said, adding that the booking raises concerns about safety and inclusivity.

West, 48, has faced sustained criticism in recent years over a series of antisemitic statements and public controversies.

In 2022, his partnership with Adidas was terminated following inflammatory comments, while further incidents in 2025, including reported praise of Adolf Hitler and a lawsuit from a former employee, deepened the backlash.

In January 2026, the rapper attempted to address the controversy through an open letter published in The Wall Street Journal, apologizing for his past remarks.

He attributed his behavior to struggles with bipolar disorder and said he is now committed to “accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.”

Despite the apology, concerns remain. Holocaust Education Trust Chief Executive Karen Pollock warned that West’s headline slot is causing distress within the Jewish community, arguing that such a platform should not be granted, given his past rhetoric.

The growing criticism has also led to calls for further action, with community leaders urging authorities to reconsider allowing the artist to perform in the U.K.