You don’t realize how lame Chicagoland radio is until you travel around the country. It’s really pathetic that this major city has such crappy radio. To say WXRT is the best in the city is like saying it’s the cleanest toilet at a Speedway gas station.
Out of touch? Tired, old? It’s like they don’t know what’s cool to play anymore. Here’s an example:
More than likely, when you hear an INXS song on ‘xrt it’s going to be the tired “Devil Inside” or “Suicide Blonde.” How about digging a little deeper into the catalogue with “Original Sin” or “Kiss the Dirt” ???
And I really believe I hear the same Pink Floyd/Led Zeppelin songs over and over.
‘xrt ain’t much more than a slightly hipper top 40/classic rock station.
Take a glance at their extended playlists and you’ll see what I mean. Or just listen for a while. Sure they throw in a gem or two but really, it’s rare.
I think they play Cracker’s “Low” at least every other day. If it’s Depeche Mode it’s most likely “Personal Jesus” or “Policy of Truth.”
One of the finest songs in the past few years is Liam Finn’s “Second Chance.” If ‘xrt ever played it, it was on New Music Thursday or New Noise at Nine (the two best listening periods for the station). But nah, they’ll spin “You’re All I Got Tonight” by The Cars for the zillionth time.
What ‘xrt should be is Radio Free Santa Fe. I caught this station while driving through New Mexico and now listen to it stream online on a regular basis.
Just the other day I heard them play Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows” and Depeche Mode’s “Walking in My Shoes.”
Isn’t it unfair that the ears of Chicagoans aren’t treated to such music delight?
And what the feck is this?? On St. Pats, they’re big listening party featured the music by the great Irish artist Matisyahu.
Are you kidding me?? And the year before that I believe it was a Blues band.
Thank feck there’s Internet radio and Sirius and such. ‘xrt, you’re tired. Get some sleep and WAKE UP.
Update: A few hours ago I heard Terri Hemmert call the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song she just played “Adventures of Rain Dance Molly.” It’s Maggie. MAGGIE!
The Dodgy 
I agree 100%! They don’t want to hear it, they have the best ratings in their long history. This was at one time a GREAT station, but no more. I’m not sure what audience they are trying to capture, but long time listeners like me are tuning out!
They suck big time! The same songs by the same bands, way more led Zeppelin than they ever played, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Stairway to Heaven any time now. What about the Smile Sessions by the Beach Boys? This is a pretty significant piece of rock history and they don’t play it! What the F***!
This is posted 2 years afters yours. I still like XRT…but enough Led Zeppelin! & the Beatles! Saturday & Sunday with the “flash backs” & “breakfast” is plenty. When they’re good they’re really good but when they’re bad…they are the worst. Have been listening to other stations more & more as of late
This is posted 2 years afters yours. I still like XRT…but enough Led Zeppelin! & the Beatles! Saturday & Sunday with the “flash backs” & “breakfast” is plenty. When they’re good they’re really good but when they’re bad…they are the worst. Have been listening to other stations more & more as of late
I’m actually coming out with a new article about ‘XRT. I’ve mentioned them a couple times here and I guess I’ll have to make a separate category for them or (Chicago) radio in general.
Listening to them this morning and forgot that Terri Hemmert features breakfast with the Beatles every Sunday morning. Argh. What a stale idea. Shouldn’t she be passing the torch to someone younger and possibly hipper? Can’t wait to hear Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” later today and certainly some Peter Gabriel from “So”.
Their April Fool’s prank about playing their entire library A to Z was stupid. They didn’t have the balls to actually pull it off…but even if they did, I’m sure they’d find a way to play David Bowie’s “China Girl” a few times throughout.