Merlin Media launched Alternative “Q87.7” WKQX-LP Chicago at 7pm this evening.
The first song was Rise Against’s “Satellite”. The station is also simulcasting on 101.1 WIQI-HD3.As previously reported, Jim Richards most recently PD at “Click 98.9” KLCK Seattle will be overseeing the new launch.
Here’s a quick look at the music on Q87.7 in its second hour on air:
Foo Fighters – These Days
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Soul To Squeeze
Cage The Elephant – Shake Me Down
Of Monsters And Men – Little Talks
Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know
Florence & The Machine – Shake It Out
Sublime – Doin Time
Foster The People – Helena Beat
Death Cab For Cutie – You Are A Tourist
30 Seconds To Mars – The Kill (Bury Me)
Coldplay – Paradise
Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song
Rise Against – Satellite
Muse – Undisclosed Desires
Black Keys – Lonely Boy
FightingIrish 
shel 
Myron Falwell 
And to make matters a bit nuttier, the Q101.com folks beat Merlin by an hour. They’re now simulcasting the webstream on WJJG 1530, a small suburban daytime AM station:
http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/2477-two-alternative-rock-radio-stations-launch-wjjg-a-wkqx
Its about time!!! how can the 3rd largest city in the county have gone with out an alternative station for this long.. what 9 months??.. well thank god we have something other than news, bubble gum pop and rap now 🙂
Merlin running channel 6, almost as an format incubator of sorts, is actually a good move. Who knows how long classic rock will continue to be a viable format… perhaps in the remaining life span of channel 6’s analog life.
I wouldn’t be shocked if, once channel 6 is forced to convert to digital in 2+ years, WKQX could ultimately replace the Loop at 97.9.