The Wireless Festival in London has been hit with a significant sponsorship crisis as two major backers have withdrawn their support following the event's decision to book Kanye West. This development comes shortly after Pepsi's earlier departure from the festival lineup.
Rockstar Energy, a prominent beverage brand, has officially severed ties with the festival. Simultaneously, Diageo—the multinational corporation responsible for iconic brands including Guinness, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, and Ketel One—has also terminated its sponsorship agreement.
The exodus of these key sponsors represents a substantial financial and reputational blow to the festival, which is scheduled to take place in London's Finsbury Park. Industry analysts suggest the withdrawals are directly linked to ongoing controversies surrounding Kanye West's recent public statements and behavior.
A festival spokesperson acknowledged the developments but declined to comment on whether additional performers or sponsors might follow suit. The festival organizers maintain that the event will proceed as planned, though they face mounting pressure to address the sponsorship vacuum created by these high-profile departures.