WMSE Unveils Sound Check, a New Series Featuring Touring Artists Live From Milwaukee Venues

MILWAUKEE – Sept. 17, 2026 (affectionately known as “Nine One Seven Day”), WMSE 91.7 FM is pulling the curtain back on a project that has quietly been taking shape behind the scenes. Beginning Monday, Sept. 21, the station will debut “WMSE Sound Check,” a new weekly program featuring exclusive performances and interviews with touring artists recorded at some of Milwaukee’s favorite music venues.

The idea for “WMSE Sound Check” grew out of a familiar challenge for Music Director Sid McCain and Audio Engineer Nicholas Elert: getting touring artists into WMSE’s studios while they’re in Milwaukee. Instead, they decided to take WMSE to the bands. Since recording their first session in December, Elert and McCain have been building a growing collection of performances and conversations captured before doors open at venues like Turner Hall, X-Ray Arcade and the Cactus Club. Elert records the bands during sound check, while McCain taps WMSE’s deep roster of DJs to sit down with the artists who fit their musical expertise.

The result is an intimate collection of live performances and interviews that could only come from WMSE.

WMSE has a long history of hosting live performances from its Bob and Genie Friedman Live Performance Studio, but bringing touring artists into the station presents a unique set of logistical challenges.

“It’s always been a challenge getting touring artists into the station for a performance,” Elert said. “There’s a balancing act between classroom schedules, DJ schedules and touring logistics that has to miraculously come together. By meeting the artists where they are, we get around all of that. It makes it easier for everyone to say yes, and we get to capture them in the environment where they’re already preparing to perform.”

That approach also allows WMSE to pair artists with the DJs who know their music best.

“We have individual experts in every genre of music,” McCain said. “Reaching out to a legend like Cedric Burnside and knowing I have Blues DJ Sonia to conduct the interview is a no-brainer. These are conversations between people who genuinely know and care about the music, and I think listeners can hear that.”

“WMSE Sound Check” will debut with legendary British indie rock band The Wedding Present, interviewed by Damian of WMSE’s late-night program “Theory of De-Evolution.”

“Hearing Damian absolutely giddy while chatting with one of his idols makes for a completely sincere listener experience you can’t capture anywhere else,” McCain said. “That’s what makes this series special. Our DJs are fans first, and the artists can feel that.”

New episodes of “WMSE Sound Check” will air Mondays from noon to 12:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 21. Episodes will also be available in the WMSE archives at wmse.org.

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.

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