Australian musician Keli Holiday has been forced to cancel the final date of his North American tour after being denied re-entry into the United States. Following a successful string of performances in Toronto, the artist was detained at the U.S.-Canada border, ultimately leading to his premature return home.
Holiday, the solo indie project of Peking Duk’s Adam Hyde, broke the news to his followers over the weekend. “It’s incredibly disappointing that I won’t be able to make it to tonight’s show at Baby’s All Right in New York City,” he stated via Instagram. “Despite having all the necessary visa documentation in order, I spent the entire day detained at the border and was ultimately refused entry back into the States.”
He added that he is still actively seeking clarification regarding the nature of the complication.
While the New York performance was meant to serve as the grand finale of his short North American tour—which ran from May 1 to May 7—a representative confirmed that Hyde has since safely returned to Australia to prepare for upcoming regional tour dates.
This setback highlights the mounting anxieties surrounding border security and the stringent visa vetting processes facing international touring artists. The situation has reignited conversations, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, regarding more rigorous entry requirements and expansive screening protocols for travelers.
Hyde introduced the Keli Holiday persona in 2021 as a deeply personal outlet that contrasts with the high-energy electronic sound of Peking Duk, the chart-topping duo he formed with Reuben Styles. Peking Duk rose to prominence in the 2010s with massive hits like the top-five ARIA single “High,” featuring Nicole Millar.
Currently, Hyde is riding a wave of solo success; his sophomore album, Capital Fiction, debuted at No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart, marking his strongest performance as a solo act. The album features the breakout single “Dancing2″—an ode to his relationship with Sydney media personality Abbie Chatfield—which captured second place on triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown for 2025 and secured the best video trophy at the most recent ARIA Awards.
Through Keli Holiday, Hyde has successfully pivoted toward a textured soundscape blending indie-pop, dance, and alternative influences, steadily cultivating a devoted fanbase. Upon hearing the news of the canceled NYC show, fans flooded his social media with messages of solidarity, many hopeful that he will be able to reschedule the performance once the bureaucratic issues are resolved.
