AceShowbiz - Keli Holiday, the solo project of Australian artist Adam Hyde, recently revealed he was refused re-entry into the United States while on his North American tour. This unexpected incident forced him to cancel his scheduled show in New York City and return to Australia ahead of planned performances in New South Wales and Victoria.

The news came after Keli Holiday was detained at the U.S.-Canada border following a series of shows in Toronto. Despite having the correct visa documentation, he was denied entry back into the U.S., leading to the abrupt cancellation of his concert at Baby's All Right in Brooklyn, which was set to be the final stop of his May 1 to May 7 tour.

On Instagram, Keli Holiday expressed his frustration, writing, "Unfortunately I'm not going to make it to tonight's show at Baby's All Right in NYC. 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." He added that he was still seeking clarity on the reasons behind the denial.

A representative later confirmed that Adam Hyde had returned to Australia to prepare for upcoming shows across New South Wales and Victoria. This situation arises amid increasing concerns about stricter U.S. border enforcement and visa scrutiny affecting international visitors, including touring musicians. Proposed modifications to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program have sparked debates in Australia and New Zealand regarding more stringent entry requirements and expanded screening protocols.

Adam Hyde launched the Keli Holiday project in 2021 as a more intimate and indie-focused departure from his work with electronic duo Peking Duk, which he formed with Reuben Styles. Peking Duk gained significant success with hits like "High" featuring Nicole Millar, which reached the top five on the ARIA Singles Chart and helped establish the duo as one of Australia’s leading electronic acts of the 2010s.

As previously reported, Keli Holiday is currently the highest-charting Australian artist on the latest ARIA Albums Chart with his second album, Capital Fiction, debuting at No. 3. Meanwhile, as part of Peking Duk, Hyde peaked at No. 12 with the 2018 album Reprisal.

Capital Fiction includes the track "Dancing2," which tells the story of how Hyde met his partner, Sydney media personality Abbie Chatfield. The single achieved a No. 2 spot on triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown for 2025 and won Best Video at the previous year’s ARIA Awards. Keli Holiday also performed the song during the ARIA Awards ceremony.

Under the Keli Holiday name, Hyde has embraced a moodier blend of indie-pop, dance, and alternative music. He has released several tracks, including "Dancing2," while cultivating a dedicated fan base through intimate club shows and festival appearances.

Following the announcement of the canceled New York show, fans flooded the artist’s social media comments with messages of support. Many encouraged him to reschedule the performance once the visa issues are resolved, highlighting the strong connection between Keli Holiday and his audience.

This incident underscores the challenges faced by international artists navigating evolving U.S. immigration policies while touring. As visa regulations and border screenings become more complex, musicians like Keli Holiday may encounter unexpected obstacles impacting their ability to perform and connect with fans abroad.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Billboard.