Parents, Do You Miss Live Shows? Is Your Kid a Budding Rockstar? Seattle Has Just the Place

For parents with young children who miss the old days of rocking out to live music untethered to nap times or babysitter wages, getting to a show can feel like an impossible dream. For other parents with talented older children who have garage bands or endless digital files of original mixes, finding youth-friendly opportunities that take kids seriously as musicians can also feel impossible.

If this sounds like your family, never fear. In the shadow of the Space Needle, KEXP is more than just Seattle’s hippest public radio station. Known proudly as the place where music matters, KEXP is a dynamic space for families and youth to engage with music in meaningful, hands-on ways.

KEXP passes the mic to little DJs

Once a year, KEXP hands over the mic to the city’s smallest music fans, turning the morning airwaves into an audio playground led by its youngest listeners. Kids Day on The Morning Show invites kids to experience the magic of live radio by filling the morning’s playlist with their favorite songs and inviting them to share on-air what they love about the songs they selected.

Shyness quickly melts away as caregivers and kids pile into the studio for this unique experience every year, usually held as summer break winds down. Morgan Chosnyk, KEXP’s programming group director, shares that even the most reserved little DJs leave buzzing with excitement. This year, she overheard one 7-ish-year-old tell his mom on his way out of the studio, “That was the best day of my life!”

The coolest job for teens in Seattle

For youth ages 15–18, KEXP offers 90.TEEN, which is both a regular on-air show programmed and produced by teens, and an education program that trains students in the art of music curation and radio broadcasting.

Designed for youth with a clear passion for music, the six-week education program teaches everything from DJing skills, to digital asset management. Participants get career insights and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes public radio tick, learning from KEXP DJs and mentors along the way.

Teens who complete the program join a rotating roster of youth hosts for 90.TEEN. The program runs from September to June, with teens airing their own shows twice a month starting in November. And yes, the cohort gets paid for their work! Not only do participants walk away with broadcast skills and experience, they also earn a stipend for each show aired — an added bonus that highlights KEXP’s commitment to valuing all voices. Applications for 90.Teen open in the summer.

Calling youth musicians: KEXP wants your demos

If your kid’s in a band or you’re a local musician yourself, KEXP wants to hear from you. The station is always on the lookout for fresh tracks from Pacific Northwest artists of all ages. In fact, KEXP’s variety shows play a local band at least once every hour, making it a powerful platform for up-and-coming talent.

Youth musicians are especially encouraged to send in their music — simply email tracks to AudioOasis host and former 90.TEEN participant Kennady Quille. No agent, professional demo, or any industry connections needed — if KEXP loves your sound, they’ll play it on air and share it with their global audience.

Live shows for the whole family

Regular live shows and tapings at the station are always open to the public. If your little listener is a bit wiggly, that’s no problem. The viewing space for tapings is soundproof, meaning families can rock out without worrying about disturbing the show. The best place to keep up with KEXP’s family-friendly calendar of programs is to keep an eye on the upcoming events page of the KEXP website.