Kanye West scores headlining festival gig as Jewish groups express outrage
Kanye West is returning to London to headline this year’s Wireless Festival, but the decision has been slammed by a Jewish Leadership Council.
London, UK – Kanye West has been announced as the headliner for this year’s Wireless Festival after his controversial antisemitic remarks.
According to BBC News, the Father Stretch My Hands rapper will be returning to London to perform at all three nights of the July festival.
The news comes nearly 11 years after Ye’s last performance in Glastonbury.
Festival organizers said of the 48-year-old’s return, “Ye’s UK comeback will be an extraordinary chapter in Wireless’s story”.
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The event will run from July 10-12, with Ye expected to perform tracks from his discography, including his newest album, Bully.
Yet not everyone is thrilled about the Grammy-winning artist’s return: the UK’s Jewish Leadership Council has reportedly deemed the booking as “irresponsible.”
Ye’s Wireless festival gig sparks backlash after antisemitism scandal
Per Billboard, a rep for the committee said in a statement, “The UK Jewish community is facing record levels of antisemitism, including a terrorist attack in Manchester, the attack on ambulances in Golders Green and foiled plots which would have killed many more.”
They added that “West has repeatedly used his platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Nazi messaging” and urged any upcoming festivals to “reconsider” inviting him, despite his most recent apology.
Earlier this year, Ye issued a formal apology in a full-page WSJ ad, titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” where he attributed his erratic behavior and antisemitic rants to untreated mental illness and brain trauma from a near-fatal crash over 20 years.
