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“All of the DJs put together great sets and are enjoyable to listen to during the breaks, however, KEXP.” in 31 reviews
“. And while I loves myself some Cheryl Waters, lately I've been absolutely loving the sounds of Larry Mizell” in 5 reviews
“sing KEXP.org, you can also access live, in-studio performances by some of the best indie recording arti” in 6 reviews
About the Business
KEXP is a music-focused nonprofit arts organization serving music lovers and artists through in-person, broadcast, and online music programming. KEXP operates one of the most influential listener-supported music radio stations in the country, KEXP 90.3 FM, Seattle. More than 200,000 listeners from around the world tune in to the station each week over the air and online at KEXP.ORG. On KEXP's YouTube channel, videos of exclusive in-studio performances garner more than 1.7 million views per week. KEXP produces hundreds of live performances each year, many of which are open to public audiences at no charge.
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191 reviews
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- Jan 8, 2024
I came here for the Postal Service/Deathcab exhibit, and it was incredible!
There was also a really fun, inclusive party going on complete with themed drinks!
I don't really listen to the station, but I was so impressed by the beautiful space and the friendly faces.
Definitely stop in for an event!Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 7Oh no 0 - May 17, 20241 check-in
This place is very spacious and great for gigs, parties, concerts, promos.
We had our sons Premier this evening and had this small kine pupu style after party. It's was really awesome. The DJ was playing some good mix. Both Hawaii local and American with different culture music in the mix.
I'd love to hold a party here but we don't live here. So if you know anyone from Seattle, let them know this place is pretty good.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - BJ J.Seattle, WA01May 16, 2024
Thank you, dear DJs at KEXP; you keep the airwaves filled with good intention and encouraging music. You make Seattle special.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Oct 22, 2022
KEXP FM is a Non-Profit, listener supported station located in Seattle Center. Their Tagline is "KEXP's mission is to enrich your life by championing music and discovery".
Starting back in the early 70's as a student and volunteer run station. It's grown but that core doesn't seem to have changed much. I tune the dial to 90.3 as on my commute and some legit independent or otherwise not well-known tunes come on from all sorts of rock to reggae and blues and more.
The actual site of KEXP is a large hall of sorts where you can hang out, grab a drink or snack from the cafe and listen to the actual broadcast. You can even view the DJ's in the broadcast booth doing their thing. There is a small store selling vinyl of various artists as well
KEXP is pretty cool and contributing to community arts I think is a good thing. Drop in and give a listen or tune to 90.3 FM.Helpful 9Thanks 0Love this 11Oh no 0 - Feb 18, 2023
Super cool atmosphere! I was in awe of how much fit into the space without feeling cramped. A coffee bar, record shop, and live music stage?! This is hipster on another level! If I lived around here, I'd want to hang out at KEXP all the time. I visited just before closing today, so sadly didn't get to sit and chill, but would definitely recommend if you're looking for fun, approachable arts and culture activities in the city.
Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Jennifer R.Seattle, WA0211Apr 16, 2023
I love this station and all they do to make music of all kinds available in our community. Their youth program where teens can DJ and participate in putting music that is meaningful to them forward is amazing. Keep up the great work KEXP!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Howie K.Albuquerque, NM483318047918Sep 10, 2020Updated review
Beginning where I left off in November '16: "KEXP doesn't pretend to suffice the masses. It's rock-heavy, crunch-heavy, experimental, distanced and dissonant, wily, and carefully centered on what they deem cool. And I happen to love it. But diversity is meaningful, and the majority of their deejays are predictably Caucasian. I think Seattle can do better."
It feels weird to quote myself.
Welcome to 2020, independent radio. Just for the record, I've been listening to this station the better part of everyday for the past four years, so calling it invaluable to me would be more than an understatement. I'm a music junkie and this publicly-funded gem does an incredible job rocking sets spanning 30+ minutes nonstop, with rare DJ interruption. The app sounds great coming out of my hefty bluetooth speakers and earbuds, to boot. And it's helmed by Kevin Cole, a musical wizard I wish to someday meet in the afterlife.
This review deserves an update because the summer of 2020 changed KEXP for the much, much better -- and I didn't think that was possible. My mornings now include sets from Gabriel Teodros, a perfect segue for John. And while I loves myself some Cheryl Waters, lately I've been absolutely loving the sounds of Larry Mizell. This station has added some diversity to their lineup of spin doctors, and the results are in: even better music that often addresses and critiques the joys and ills of modern society. Bravo, guys.Helpful 7Thanks 0Love this 9Oh no 0Nov 4, 2016Previous reviewThe Current vs KEXP, my take.
I grew up with Kevin Cole, in Minneapolis. Kevin and another godsend, Mary Lucia, delivered my midwest radio mix tape, REV 105, and when the commercial station called it quits I was washing dishes at a hole-in-the-wall burger joint, it was the end of the world, and the station played "It's the End of the World" by R.E.M. endlessly, for days. I'm guessing that's when Kevin split for Seattle, because Mary has owned the airwaves of The Cities public progressive station, The Current, for years. And I'm a huge fan. I stream the station from New Mexico regularly.
Kevin moved on to own his own station, KEXP, in Seattle. This review concerns the station, not the venue; I visited the place a few weeks ago, it's chill, unremarkable, good coffee, and I'm sure it hosts some good benefit events, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see the place. I would advise anyone who loves to discover great music to discover KEXP, if you don't live in Seattle definitely download the app, stream it, and support it, become a member. As a public station it's commercial-free, and therefore awesome. Anticipate an extraordinary ride. I've been meditating on the station for the last three weeks, especially mornings. I'm a worker bee who feels compelled, daily, to catch up on the news. Screw that. Wake up to music. Great music. Sly emcees.
I need to finish with this caveat: diversity. A stipulation, a condition. My hometown station, The Current, prides itself on diversity, if only by sonic boom. For better or worse, The Current delivers a really diverse playlist -- lesser-known pop hits (Adele was heavily played before she was discovered), cool oldies, plenty of hip-hop, and endless repeats. KEXP, by contrast, doesn't pretend to suffice the masses. It's rock-heavy, crunch-heavy, experimental, distanced and dissonant, wily, and carefully centered on what they deem cool. And I happen to love it. But diversity is meaningful, and the majority of their deejays are predictably Caucasian. I think Seattle can do better. The same can be said for The Current. - Jan 15, 2019
Everything you need in one space to work, hang out, meet with friends or colleagues. I can't think of a better space for music and radio lovers to enjoy and support their local station.
Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - Feb 2, 2021
I miss this place. Its temporarily closed due to COVID, but hands down my favorite coffee shop to "get lost" in. Half of this place is a radio station. The vibe is generally very chill, mixed bag of folks--from families to young professionals. I usually see folks in the sitting area. I can't imagine working here as its usually not super quiet. its the perfect coffee shop to people watch. Great vibe, great art, great music, oh and great coffee
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