Singer Keli Holiday says he was denied re-entry into the United States during his North American tour, forcing him to cancel a planned New York City performance and return home early.
The Australian artist — the solo project of Adam Hyde from Peking Duk — shared the news with fans over the weekend after being detained at the U.S.-Canada border following shows in Toronto.
“Unfortunately I’m not going to make it to tonight’s show at Baby’s All Right in NYC,” Holiday wrote on Instagram. “I have spent all day detained at the Canadian border and denied entry back into the U.S. despite having the proper visa documentation in place.”
“I’m still trying to get clarity on the situation myself,” he added.
Holiday had been scheduled to play a short run of North American dates between May 1 and May 7, with the Brooklyn show set to close out the tour. A representative later confirmed he had since returned to Australia ahead of upcoming dates across New South Wales and Victoria.
The incident comes at a time of growing concern around U.S. border processing and visa scrutiny for international travelers and touring artists. Proposed changes tied to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program have sparked discussion in Australia and New Zealand over stricter entry requirements and expanded screening measures.
Hyde launched Keli Holiday in 2021 as a more personal and indie-leaning counterpart to Peking Duk, the chart-successful electronic act he formed with Reuben Styles. Peking Duk broke through with hits including “High” featuring Nicole Millar, which reached the top five on the ARIA Singles Chart and helped establish the duo as one of Australia’s biggest electronic acts of the 2010s.
As previously reported, Holiday is the highest-flying homegrown artist on the latest ARIA Albums Chart with Capital Fiction, his second collection, which opens its account at No. 3. As a member of Peking Duk, he peaked at No. 12 with 2018’s Reprisal.
Capital Fiction houses the cut “Dancing2,” which recounts the story of how Hyde met his partner and love of his life, Sydney media personality Abbie Chatfield. The single came in at No. 2 on triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown for 2025, won for best video at the last year’s ARIA Awards, and Holiday performed it at the top of the recording industry’s annual ceremony.
Under the Keli Holiday name, Hyde has moved toward a moodier mix of indie-pop, dance and alternative music, releasing tracks including “Dancing2” while building a dedicated following through club shows and festival appearances.
Fans flooded Holiday’s comments with support after the canceled New York show was announced, with many urging him to reschedule the date once the visa issue is resolved.
