Kanye West’s troubling behaviour brings down Wireless Festival

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The UK government has banned Kanye West from entering the country, putting a lid on a planned three-date appearance at Wireless Festival. The rapper has a history of antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks and actions, which includes releasing a song called Heil Hitler. West, legally known as Ye, has attributed his actions to bipolar disorder, apologising in January and offering on Tuesday to meet members of the Jewish community. Melvin Benn, the managing director of Festival Republic, which promotes Wireless, suggested that West ought to be offered forgiveness due to his mental illness. Forgiveness is different from giving the artist a live platform and it is fair to assume that festival organisers had other considerations in mind. West still sells out shows, so his appearance could have been lucrative. Now, due to a catastrophic misjudgement, the entire festival has become untenable. Yesterday it was cancelled.