Cyclone Wehner

Australia

Music Journalist at Freelance

Cyclone Wehner (pron 'Vayna'). Australian R&B/hip-hop/electronic/dance/pop culture/arts journalist + DJ. Into vampires. Sorb relic

Articles

Forest Swords review - hyper-textural electronic music

1 week ago | checkcheck.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

Forest Swords performed at ACMI, on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, on Saturday 14 June. It’s virtually forgotten now, but in the early 2010s there existed an electronic music genre, or aesthetic, called nightbus, denoting atmospheric post-dubstep meant for listening on earphones in transit and after hours. In 2013, UK DJ Chris Coco released a cult compilation, -NIGHTBUS, consisting of tracks by underground London artists on his Melodica Recordings. Burial was the godfather.
Beth Gibbons review – emotional immediacy at Melbourne's Rising

3 weeks ago | checkcheck.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

Beth Gibbons performed at Hamer Hall, on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, on Sunday 1 June. Beth Gibbons might be the biggest-name international guest on this year’s RISING program. Touring Australia as a solo artist for the first time, the Portishead frontperson’s performance at Naarm/Melbourne’s Hamer Hall is more of an experience than a show. Appearing as a silhouette on a dark stage, clasping her microphone stand, the Brit’s transcendental voice is the cynosure.
Like A Rolling Stone: Why Are So Many DJs Leaving Australia?

2 months ago | themusic.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

In 2025, Australian DJs/producers are at the forefront of a booming global electronic dance music culture, and many have permanently relocated overseas to base themselves in the US or Europe, rather than travelling back and forth. Naarm/Melbourne's Dom Dolla, who lately played with John Summit under their Everything ALWAYS banner at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, emerged as a superstar DJ after moving to Los Angeles post-lockdown.
BIG WETT On Her New Empowering, Edgy New EP 'RISK IT': 'I've Always Had An Anarchist Spirit'

2 months ago | themusic.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

More BIG WETT The electro-pop libertine BIG WETT is back, freakier and even more unrepentant, with her libidinous second EP, RISK IT. And chatting with the unfiltered star is still a riot – The Music's latest cover story carries an NSFW advisory. "Babe, okay," a gleeful BIG WETT exclaims.
Toto, Christopher Cross review – yacht rock revival in Melbourne

2 months ago | checkcheck.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

Toto and Christopher Cross performed at John Cain Arena in Melbourne/Naarm on Wednesday 16 April. Once considered passé, yacht rock has undergone a cultural resurgence in recent years. As a result, late ’70s US acts such as Toto and Christopher Cross have found hip new audiences. Toto’s early ’80s classic “Africa” is still popular in clubs – there’s a Late Nite Tuff Guy remix – and it’s surely only a matter of time before Eric Prydz flips Cross’ “Ride Like The Wind” into a viral banger.
Live Review: Cyndi Lauper, The Veronicas @ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

2 months ago | themusic.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

More Cyndi Lauper The mood of Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour could so easily be sad. But, returning to Rod Laver Arena, the American hitmaker ensures that the first of her six Australian dates is a party with as much joy as sentimentality. Lauper told The Times that, "I want to say goodbye big." And she delivers with colourful wigs, couture costumes, striking visuals, tight musicianship, chronicles and, yes, expressive vocals.
Victor Ray On His Debut Australian Tour: 'It's Quite A Soulful Experience; It's Very Raw'

Mar 27, 2025 | themusic.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

Victor Ray is primed to be the next busker-turned-superstar following Ed Sheeran and Tones And I. He's already playing increasingly larger venues in the UK. But, about to hit Australia for the first time, the humble Stay For A While singer hasn't forgotten his come-up as a street performer. "Strangers on the street would be like, 'Oh, you should do this – you could make it!'" he reminisces. Ray's press releases are full of impressive streaming and social media stats in addition to media accolades.
Live Review: Groove Armada @ Live At The Gardens, Melbourne

Mar 10, 2025 | themusic.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

More Groove Armada The UK house music legends Groove Armada fulfilled a farewell Australian live tour in 2022 – sadly missing Naarm/Melbourne. But, ironically, Andy Cato and Tom Findlay have since been even more visible as DJs. In 2024 they returned to Oz, closing the AO Finals Festival as co-headliners Rudimental mingled with punters, followed by an afterparty ("afters") at The Espy. For the remainder of the year, Groove Armada DJed around Europe. Last summer, they played The Glade at Glastonbury.
Meet The Australian DJs Making Waves Across The Globe

Mar 4, 2025 | themusic.com.au | Cyclone Wehner

Dom Dolla performing at The Domain, Sydney (Credit: Shevin Dissanayake) In 2025, Australian electronic dance music is a hugely successful global export. Our DJs are touring internationally, landing prominent residencies in Ibiza and Las Vegas, and headlining major festivals. Sydney/Eora's Timmy Trumpet is currently #5 in DJ Mag's influential Top 100 DJs poll. In fact, Australian DJs have long joined the international circuit, with many relocating to Los Angeles, London, or Berlin.
Black Country Artists To Listen To In 2025

Feb 17, 2025 | countrytown.com | Cyclone Wehner

More Darius Rucker In 2024, the release of Beyoncé Knowles' historic COWBOY CARTER – which latterly won both 'Album Of The Year' and 'Best Country Album' at the Grammy Awards – renewed discussions about the pivotal role of Black country artists that began when she recorded Daddy Lessons for LEMONADE. Beyoncé stated that the controversy generated by her performing the song at the 50th Country Music Association Awards (CMA's) alongside The Chicks prompted COWBOY CARTER.