AceShowbiz - Kanye West is set to return to London for the first time in over ten years with scheduled performances at the Wireless Festival, but the announcement has sparked swift disapproval from city officials.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly distanced his administration from the rapper’s upcoming shows at Finsbury Park, taking a firm stance against his participation in the event slated for July 10-12, 2026.

In an official statement, Khan’s office emphasized that the artist’s previous statements and conduct are “offensive and wrong,” asserting that they do not align with the values upheld by London. The mayor’s team made it clear that the city government has no involvement in the festival’s decision to book Kanye West.

The backlash extends beyond City Hall. The Jewish Leadership Council condemned the festival’s choice, labeling it “deeply irresponsible.” They highlighted that Kanye West has “repeatedly used his platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Nazi messaging,” urging venues and organizers to reconsider offering him a stage to propagate such views.

Since January, Kanye West has been attempting to rehabilitate his public image. He placed a full-page apology in the Wall Street Journal addressing his antisemitic remarks. He disclosed that in 2025 he suffered a significant brain condition, describing a “four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life.”

In an interview with Vanity Fair, he insisted that his apology was sincere and not a strategic move to promote his new album Bully.

Despite the ongoing criticism, Kanye West is moving forward with his plans to perform at Wireless Festival, leaving many to watch closely how this controversial return will unfold in the public eye.