Wireless Festival canceled after U.K. denies Ye a visa

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Organizers canceled the popular Wireless Festival after the United Kingdom denied its headliner, the embattled rapper Ye, a visa into the country.The U.K.government cited Ye’s history of antisemitic outbursts as a reason for denying him a travel permit.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that “Kanye West [Ye’s former name] should never have been invited to headline Wireless.”“This government stands firmly with the Jewish community,” he continued, “and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.

We will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values.”As a result, the entire summer festival was scrapped and ticket holders were issued refunds.Music Ye’s career collapsed after praising Nazis.

Now he’s headlining Inglewood’s Rolling Loud festival.Jewish groups and rap fans are nervous.“The Home Office has withdrawn YE’s [electronic travel visa] ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.

As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders,” Wireless Festival organizers said in a statement on Tuesday.“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”“Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent,” they continued, “and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.

As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the U.K.” Music The rapper played the first of two shows Wednesday night, performing new songs and oldies on a giant dome on the stadium’s floor.Ye said, in a statement reported by the BBC, that he was “following the conversation around Wireless”, and that “I know words a...