ChicagoVerseUniteD: Chicago Scene Salvation

(Photo credit: Alex Quigley)

Though the final fate of the station, name, and format remain to be seen, this past Thursday night, July 14th, marked the end of an era at Q101, Chicago’s long-running alternative radio outlet, and longtime place of employment for this writer. Thursday marked the final broadcast for much of the station’s air staff, including Electra, Sherman And Tingle, Tim Virgin, and Pogo. As such, the day and evening’s programming focused on revisiting talent from Q101′s various eras, as well as closing down this chapter of the station. Below, find audio, video, and more, relating to Q101′s Thursday broadcast, as well as reactions from throughout the local music community.

(Photo credit: Cathy Vlahogiannis)

Audio
Audio from the station’s last DJ-led broadcast has surfaced online, with one source compiling an impressive stockpile of the day’s various programs, while another site captured the final episode of Local 101. Watch this site in the coming days for more audio from the final days of Q101, including Local 101‘s recent interviews with Patrick Stump, Madina Lake, Scott Lucas (Local H, Scott Lucas And The Married Men), and more.

(Photo credit: Cathy Vlahogiannis)

Video
Late Thursday, video from Q101′s final broadcast began hitting the web, comprised of audio captured online and footage filmed in studio. Find a collection of those clips below, including this writer closing down Local 101 with “Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins, and DJs Chris Payne and Pogo closing down Q101 with “Friday, I’m In Love” by The Cure, the first song the station ever played.

Response

Artists and industry figures from throughout the Chicago community weighed in on Q101′s final hours, with Suns posting on its Facebook “R.I.P. Q101. You were good to the members of Suns throughout all of our time here in Chicago in whatever bands we have been in. We will miss you.” The Felix Culpa, meanwhile, took to its Facebook to post “Anyone in the Chicago music scene knows exactly what Q101 and Local 101 meant to independent music. Just wanted to say that we’re saddened to see it go. Huge shout outs to Chris Payne, Jaime Black and Rebecca Betta Lopez for playing our stuff over the years.” A number of other acts took to Twitter share their thoughts on the final broadcast, Local 101, and Q101 itself, many of which are presented below. The Frantic even made a video to express their views on the station’s departure.