WMSE Celebrates 45 Years With Launch of New Radiate Festival

MILWAUKEE – March 3, 2026 – In March of 1981, WMSE 91.7 FM hit the Milwaukee airwaves. Now, as the station celebrates 45 years of community-powered, free-form radio, WMSE is honoring its legacy while looking ahead with the announcement of a brand-new signature event: Radiate, a dynamic celebration of DJs and dance music culture.

Since its founding, WMSE has remained fiercely independent and listener-supported, fueled by volunteers, donors, and music lovers who believe in the power of free-form radio, a DJ-led format that spans genres and gives hosts full creative control. The station will mark its 45th anniversary throughout the year with special events, surprises, and community gatherings that reflect its mission to amplify music and culture not heard anywhere else on the dial.

“We would not be here without the listeners, volunteers, supporters, and music fans who have sustained WMSE for 45 years,” said Tom Crawford, WMSE station manager. “This milestone is about gratitude. At the same time, it is about continuing to evolve and create new experiences that connect people through music.”

As part of that evolution, WMSE is proud to introduce Radiate, an electronic dance music (EDM) festival celebrating the energy, creativity, and culture of the genre. EDM spans genres such as house, techno, and other DJ-driven styles designed to move crowds and bring people together on the dance floor.

The inaugural Radiate Festival is curated by WMSE’s own DJ Jayx and takes place Saturday, May 30, from noon to midnight at Third Space Brewing. The free, all-day event will spotlight DJs and showcase the vibrant dance music community in true WMSE fashion: community-driven, inclusive, and open to all.

Before Radiate lights up the spring calendar, WMSE will host one of its most beloved annual traditions. Rockabilly Chili, Wisconsin’s largest restaurant chili competition, returns Sunday, March 22, from 11 am to 3 pm at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Kern Center.

EDM fans curious about Radiate are encouraged to visit the WMSE team at Rockabilly Chili to learn more about the new festival and what the station has planned for its 45th anniversary year.

Advance tickets for Rockabilly Chili are $15; tickets at the door are $20. Tickets and information are available at wmse.org/chili.

WMSE’s 45th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year. Additional details, artist announcements, and programming information for Radiate will be released in the coming weeks.

About WMSE

“Anti-established” in 1981, WMSE 91.7 FM, Frontier Radio has grown into Milwaukee’s truest and longest-standing music radio institution. A financially independent department of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), WMSE – with a 24-hour free-form format representing every musical genre – has been primarily funded by listening supporters and community partners since 1997. The station’s vision is to educate the listening community by providing a wide selection of musical programming not heard anywhere else in the market. WMSE is Milwaukee’s champion for the city’s diverse community of musicians and artists. For more information, visit www.wmse.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.