Following a month-long tussle with the Department Of Immigration And Citizenship, Sydney trio SET SAIL are pleased to announce the return of their lead singer Brandon Hoogenboom. Brandon, who had been deported to the United States after mistakenly playing shows on the wrong visa in January, has now been allowed to re-enter Australia. He has been granted a new visa sponsored by Sydney entertainment company The Harbour Agency that allows him to record and tour with the band once again.
After news of his deportation on January 13, the remaining members of the band rallied support from the Australian public and the music industry. They ran a Facebook petition that involved more than 80,000 people; reached out to metropolitan newspaper mX, who ran two cover stories on the episode; and sought help from The Harbour Agency, whose support eventually got Brandon’s visa over the line. The band wish to thank their fans and everyone else involved in bringing Brandon back to Australia.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support from our fans, The Harbour Agency and the Australian Government for allowing Brandon to return,” said the band’s violinist Josiah Willows.
Back together and with the sweet taste of freedom on their lips, SET SAIL are ready to wreak havoc on Australia once again. Famous for their impromptu busking performances around the world, the Sydney-based trio will be taking their live show from the street to the stage on a jam-packed autumn tour that includes festival dates, university gigs and maybe even a secret show or two along the way.
Last year SET SAIL released their debut EP The Riley Moore and produced a web series documenting their musical travels through 15 countries. A follow-up EP is due out later this year, but for now the band is itching to get back on the road and will be headlining shows all around the country over the next couple of months.
Catch SET SAIL at the following dates:
Wednesday 22 February – UTS GLASSHOUSE BAR ‘O-FEST’ – Sydney
Thursday 23 February – BLACK BEAR LODGE – Brisbane
Friday 24 February – BEACH HOTEL – Byron Bay
Saturday 25 February – SPOTTED COW – Toowoomba
Wednesday 29 February – UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASLTE O-WEEK – Newcastle
Thursday 1 March – UNIVERSITY OF NSW O-WEEK – Sydney
Friday 2 March – BARRIO @ ADELAIDE FESTIVAL – Adelaide
Saturday 10 March – FOREST EDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL – Neerim East, VIC
Sunday 11 March – NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB – Melbourne
Thursday 15 March – OXFORD ART FACTORY – Sydney
Friday 16 March – SECRET GARDEN FESTIVAL – Camden, NSW
Sunday 18 March – BRASS MONKEY – Cronulla
Sunday 25 March – 34 DEGREE SOUTH – Bondi
Thursday 12 April – GRAND JUNCTION HOTEL – Maitland
