Festival Republic defends Ye Wireless Festival booking amid antisemitism backlash

Festival Republic has issued a robust defence of its decision to book Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — for London’s Wireless Festival, despite intensifying backlash over the rapper’s history of antisemitic comments.

In a lengthy statement, managing director Melvin Benn acknowledged Ye’s past remarks about Jewish people and Adolf Hitler as “abhorrent”, but urged critics to consider the value of forgiveness and second chances.

“I am a deeply committed anti-fascist and have been all my adult life,” Benn said, highlighting his personal connection to Israel and longstanding opposition to extremism. “What Ye has said in the past about Jews and Hitler is as abhorrent to me as it is to the Jewish community… and, taking him at his word, to Ye now also.”

The statement comes as pressure mounts on organisers to drop Ye from the Wireless Festival 2026 lineup, with politicians, Jewish organisations and sections of the public calling for his performance to be cancelled.

Benn, however, drew a clear distinction between endorsing Ye’s views and hosting him as an artist.“We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on radio stations in this country,” he said. “He has a legal right to come into the country and to perform.”

The Festival Republic boss also framed his decision through a personal lens, referencing his experience supporting someone with long-term mental illness. “Having had a person in my life for the last 15 years who suffers from mental illness, I have witnessed many episodes of despicable behaviour that I have had to forgive,” Benn said. “If I wasn’t before, I have become a person of forgiveness and hope in all aspects of my life, including work.”

Ye has faced widespread condemnation in recent years for a series of antisemitic statements, including praising Hitler and promoting conspiracy theories about Jewish people. Although he has issued apologies, critics argue his behaviour has been repeated and cannot be separated from his public platform.

Benn acknowledged that his initial reaction to the booking mirrored the public backlash, but said he ultimately chose to take a different stance.

“Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world,” he said. “I would ask people to reflect on their instant comments of disgust… and offer some forgiveness and hope.”

The decision to proceed with Ye’s performance is likely to remain controversial as the festival approaches, raising wider questions about accountability, artistic freedom and whether redemption can — or should — come with a headline slot on one of the UK’s biggest stages.