Benga will no longer appear at Coachella after being denied US entry

Benga will no longer appear alongside Skream at Coachella this weekend due to issues with his touring visa, he announced yesterday on Instagram.

The dubstep legend was denied US entry despite his team working “tirelessly” on his forthcoming US tour with Skream, which included dates at both the opening and closing weekends of Coachella.

“The visa process hit a snag at the very end and they are requesting additional information,” he said on Instagram yesterday. “I am absolutely gutted, my team and I have worked tirelessly on making this happen. But hey, I’m respecting the process and staying positive.”

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Benga was due to perform back to back with Skream on Saturday, April 13, at Coachella’s Heineken House stage, and again on Saturday, April 20.

“I really appreciate all the love and support you’ve shown me since I’ve been back,” he said. “I am truly sorry for all of the inconvenience and disappointment this causes, and I promise to keep you updated on what’s happening.”

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The upcoming shows on the pair’s US tour will now be taken on by Skream, who’s set to perform solo - or with “some OG’s” - across all dates. “Skream will be handling duties like a don, and we have called on some of the OG’s to step up in my place,” Benga assured.

Benga added that he’s had “the best two years health wise”, after being diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia in 2014. “I am ready to get back out there,” he said.

“The journey hasn’t been easy, but getting the chance to tour again with Skream has been amazing," he added. He confirmed that he and Skream will return to Coachella in 2025.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter