Pepsi Pulls Out of Wireless Festival as UK PM Demands Kanye Ban

Pepsi withdrew as the main sponsor of Wireless Festival just days after announcing Kanye West as the sole headliner.

“Kanye West is due to play three nights at the Wireless festival in London British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed concern about planned concerts in London by US rapper Kanye West, who has a history of antisemitic outbursts”

Barron News-Shield

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was deeply concerning that West was booked despite his previous antisemitic remarks.

BBC

The timing of Pepsi's withdrawal left no doubt about the reason despite no explicit citation.

The festival's website still touted Pepsi's involvement at the time of the announcement.

Starmer's intervention marked an extraordinary level of political involvement in a cultural event.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism urged the prime minister to ban West from entering the country.

BBC

The Home Office had not yet received an application for West to enter the UK.

West's European tour had already provoked cancellations and protests.

The Wireless Festival had been co-branded with Pepsi since 2015.

“Pepsi withdraws as UK festival sponsor after Kanye West backlash Pepsi has announced it is withdrawing its sponsorship of the Wireless Festival in London this summer after news that Kanye West is to headline the three-day event”

BBC

Other partners included Budweiser, PayPal, and Beatbox.

The booking had drawn criticism from Jewish organizations and political figures.

Pepsi's retreat was the highest-profile corporate divestment since Adidas ended its Yeezy partnership.