Pepsi and Diageo have announced their withdrawal as sponsors of London’s Wireless Festival following the organisers’ decision to book Kanye West as the headliner.
The 48-year-old US rapper, now known as Ye, is set to perform across all three days of the rap and R&B festival, scheduled for July in north London.
His booking has drawn widespread criticism over antisemitic comments he made in recent years, for which he issued an apology in January.
Among those condemning the move is Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, who described the decision as “deeply concerning”.
According to The Sun UK, Starmer said West had been booked “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism”.
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” he said.
“Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”
The festival is marketed as ‘Pepsi presents Wireless,’ with the beverage giant serving as its main sponsor.
However, following West’s announcement earlier this week, Pepsi has confirmed its withdrawal from the concert.
Drinks giant Diageo has also withdrawn its support for the festival “as it stands”. Two of its biggest brands Johnnie Walker whisky and Captain Morgan rum, had been listed on the Wireless website as partners of the festival.
“We have informed the organisers of our concerns and, as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless Festival,” a company spokesperson said.
