Kanye West to return to UK for Wireless festival

The US rapper Ye is set to headline all three nights of the 2026 Wireless festival, marking his first UK performance since 2015. His return to the London stage comes after years of public scrutiny over comments perceived as antisemitic, which he later addressed with an apology. The announcement follows the release of his twelfth studio album, *Bully*, just days prior.

The festival will run from July 10 to 12, and Ye’s set is expected to feature music spanning his entire career, from 2004’s debut *The College Dropout* to 2016’s *The Life of Pablo*. While no other acts have been confirmed for the lineup yet, his presence has generated anticipation among fans.

Controversy and Reconciliation

Ye has faced significant backlash in recent years, including a 2025 incident where he was barred from entering Australia after releasing a track celebrating Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. He also declared himself a Nazi and withdrew an earlier apology for his remarks. In 2022, Adidas ended its collaboration with him over his antisemitism, but Ye has since sought to mend his image.

“To Those I’ve Hurt,” he stated in a letter, explaining that his bipolar type-1 diagnosis had caused him to “lose touch with reality” and embrace the swastika as a symbol. He sold t-shirts with the emblem and admitted to regretting his actions, insisting he is “not a Nazi or an antisemite.”

His recent performances include headlining *Rolling Loud* in 2024 and touring in China, South Korea, and Mexico. Despite this, his 2025 Wireless appearance was met with mixed feedback due to the lineup’s lack of UK-based artists. Last year, Drake took the main stage, but his final set was cut short after just 40 minutes, disappointing some attendees.

Artists like Burna Boy, Vybz Kartel, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Summer Walker joined Drake last year, drawing around 50,000 fans daily. BBC Newsbeat has reached out to Wireless organizers for comment on Ye’s inclusion in the 2026 lineup, which has sparked renewed discussion about his public image. The festival will once again be a major draw for hip-hop and R&B enthusiasts this summer.