Pepsi pulls out as sponsor of UK festival following backlash over Kanye West. Eight hours earlier. James und Imogen. Images from Getty. Pepsi has revealed it is pulling out as the main sponsor of London’s Wireless Festival this summer following the announcement that Kanye West will headline the three-day event. The US rapper, now called Ye, has faced broad backlash for antisemitic remarks he made in recent years, for which he apologized in January. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier described it as “deeply concerning” that West was slated to headline. In remarks first covered by The Sun on Sunday, Sir Keir noted 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,” the prime minister stated. “Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.” West, 48, was revealed earlier this week as the headliner for all three days of the rap and R&B festival in north London in July. The event is promoted as Pepsi presents Wireless, with the brand serving as the primary sponsor. Drinks giant Diageo has pulled its support for the festival “as it stands.” Two of its leading brands, Johnnie Walker whisky and Captain Morgan rum, were listed on the Wireless website as festival partners. “We have informed the organisers of our concerns and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival,” a company spokesperson said. As of Sunday evening, the festival website still listed Pepsi, Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan as partners. However, a section listing partner details seemed to have been removed, showing an error message that said: “There’s nothing to see here.”
