Recommendations of the Editorial team
The Wireless Festival’s partners are running away: Diageo and Rockstar Energy are joining Pepsi and pulling their sponsorships for the London event back – after Kanye West was announced as the headliner of the 2026 edition.
“We have informed the organizers of our concerns and will not sponsor the Wireless Festival 2026 in the current situation,” the company behind Guinness, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, Ketel One and other brands told The Independent. Diageo did not initially respond to a request from ROLLING STONE.
The festival’s website continues to list the event as “Pepsi MAX Presents Wireless,” although all previously mentioned sponsors and partners have been removed from the site. PayPal, Beatbox and Budweiser were originally listed there, among others. These three brands also did not initially respond to ROLLING STONE’s inquiries; However, ITV reports that PayPal is also ending its partnership with the festival.
Starmer expresses sharp criticism
Even though West is not directly mentioned by name in any of the statements regarding the sponsors’ withdrawal, the timing coincides with a clear statement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “It is deeply worrying that Kanye West is scheduled to perform at the Wireless Festival, despite his past anti-Semitic comments and glorification of Nazism,” Starmer said.
West recently released the album “Bully” and pushed his comeback tour with nostalgic concert appearances – with guest appearances from Lauryn Hill, North West, CeeLo Green, André Troutman, Zion Marley and YG Marley. It is his first serious foray into the mainstream since he published an open letter in the Wall Street Journal apologizing for his anti-Semitism in recent years and previous controversial statements.
“Anti-Semitism is abhorrent in all forms and must be combated clearly and decisively wherever it occurs,” Starmer continued in his statement. “Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that Britain remains a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.”
London’s mayor distances himself
London Mayor Sadiq Khan told ROLLING STONE: “We are of the clear opinion that this artist’s past statements and actions are offensive, wrong and simply do not reflect London’s values. This decision was made by the festival organizers and is not one in which the city council’s office was involved.”
