Why Calgary Still Needs Local Radio: Connection, Community & The Sound of Something Real
It’s never been easier to hear whatever you want.
Every song, every artist, every playlist. Right there, anytime you want it.
Streaming platforms give us unlimited access to music, perfectly tailored to our tastes.
But for all that choice, all that accessibility, something’s still missing.
Streaming, as great as it is, can’t recreate that moment when a song hits at just the right time and you know half the city might be hearing it too.
It’s missing that quiet thrill that comes from being part of something bigger than your own headphones.
The shared laugh on a morning drive. The local band you hear before anyone else. The familiar voice that makes an ordinary Tuesday feel better.
That’s the magic of radio.
It’s live, local, and human. It’s not just about the music; it’s about finding your people, the ones who love the same songs, share the same humour, and bring a little spark to your day.
Why Connection Hits Differently In Calgary
This type of connection has always been part of what makes Calgary Calgary.
This city runs on community, whether it’s neighbours who shovel each other’s walks, strangers who hold doors, or artists who still believe in showing up for the gig even when it’s forty below.
It’s a big city that somehow still feels small.
That’s why local radio matters here. It captures the city’s pulse, the unique mix of grit, humour, and heart that makes Calgary feel like home to more than a million people.
And no one captures that energy and provides that connection quite like X92.9.
From its grassroots origins to the voices that now fill the city’s airwaves, X92.9 was built with the same spirit that continues to define Calgary.
How It All Began
X92.9 hit the airwaves on New Year’s Day in 2007.
It was born from one simple idea: Calgary needed an alternative station that actually sounded cool. Something that represented the alt community in Calgary with amazing playlists, local discoveries and entertaining conversations.
But here's where the story gets interesting.
The first shows were broadcast from an RV parked outside Chinook Centre. The team set up wherever they could plug in and not get kicked out, running on caffeine and a serious love for good music.
That origin aligned perfectly with the alt-rock lifestyle in Calgary. It was bold, resourceful, and completely original.
Now part of Harvard Media's network of local stations, X92.9 has grown into Calgary’s go-to for alternative music and an authentic connection with the local community.
Even as the station has grown, its mission hasn’t changed. It still sounds like the city it comes from and serves. It’s real, local, and alive.
This shows up in how X92.9 supports emerging artists, champions creative spaces, and gives Calgarians a voice that feels like their own.
Because for X92.9, it’s never been just about the music. It’s about creating and nurturing a community that listens together.
The Playlists & Voices That Keep You Coming Back
How does it do this?
X92.9 brings the alt-rock energy that keeps Calgary moving. That means killer playlists, deep music knowledge, and hosts who make every show feel like you’re hanging out with good friends.
Here’s what you can expect when you tune in:
Alt Rock & Pop Culture Icons
The heartbeat of X92.9 has always been and will always be the music.
From The Foo Fighters and The Hives to Mumford and Sons, Arctic Monkeys, and The Black Keys, the station will keep you listening.
Every track is chosen by people who love the music as much as the listeners do. They’re hosts who know the stories behind the songs and bring them to life like a conversation with friends.
Have you checked out Ty's interview on the After Hours Podcast with The Hives Pelle Almqvist?
We Support Canadian Artists
X92.9 plays local artists not because of a CanCon quota, but because the talent is undeniable.
Through Xposure, the station introduces Calgary to rising Canadian acts like The Darcys, The Royal Foundry, and Scenic Route to Alaska, proving that homegrown sound deserves to be heard.
But it’s not just about airplay. It’s about celebrating Canadian creativity and giving artists the platform they deserve.
The Best Vibes
What truly sets X92.9 apart are the voices behind the mic.
These are Calgarians who live the same weather, traffic, and sense of humour as their listeners.
They know how to make the airwaves feel like a conversation, and not just a broadcast.
The result is something that connects listeners to the culture and sound of a city that remains proud of who it is.
On Air at X92.9
From that first coffee of the morning to late-night drives across the city, every show brings its own energy, humour, and personality to the airwaves.
X Mornings with Beckler & Seanna Weekdays 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Mornings in Calgary start here. Beckler & Seanna wake up the city with sharp humour, real talk, and the kind of chemistry that makes you feel like you’re in on the joke. It’s music, banter, and the perfect mix of caffeine and chaos to kick off your day.
X Middays with Sam Phelps Weekdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The perfect midday energy that bridges morning hustle and afternoon chill. Sam’s got that golden-retriever energy: friendly, easygoing, and always good company. Expect laid-back vibes, great stories, and the perfect playlist to keep your day cruising.
X Afternoons with Ty & Millions Weekdays 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Ty & Millions bring the laughs with offbeat stories, wild takes, and the kind of banter that makes the afternoon fly by. With Mariah on maternity leave, Millions jumps in to keep things fun. Catch even more on their After Hours podcast. It's the extra dose of realness you didn’t hear on air.
X Evenings with Sean McEwan Weekdays 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sean’s voice = instant serotonin. It’s your nightly escape with the perfect mix of calm, chaos, and a healthy dose of silly goose time. Expect real talk without the rush, great music, and just enough nonsense to make the night feel lighter.
Black Hole Sunday with Evan Sundays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Six hours of pure sound exploration. Evan takes you deep into the music. It's unpredictable, immersive, and full of reminders of why you fell in love with radio in the first place. It’s your Sunday reset, powered by passion and guitars.
Xposure with Logan Middleton Sundays 9 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Logan drops the newest tracks, from local acts and bands from across Canada. Indie music that deserves attention. It’s the place to discover what’s next before it hits the big stage.
More Than What’s On Air
The same authenticity that shapes the shows listed above also guides how the station connects with Calgary off air as well.
Turning Connection Into Action
Through X Broadcasting Change, X92.9 works with local organizations that make Calgary stronger. The program highlights community and environmental efforts, inclusion initiatives, and grassroots projects that move the city forward.
It’s a way to take the station’s values—creativity, authenticity, and community—and take them beyond the broadcast all year.
Supporting Live Music in Calgary
X92.9 is part of Calgary’s live music scene year-round, backing the artists and venues that keep the city buzzing.
The station sponsors and promotes shows across Calgary, partners with local festivals, and brings fans closer to the music through on-site events, ticket giveaways, and exclusive performances.
It’s another way the station turns listening into real connection by helping live and local music thrive in the city it calls home.
One Weekend Only
That same spirit comes alive every fall through One Weekend Only, X92.9’s celebration of live music and local culture.
The event brings together artists, fans, and the X crew in a weekend that captures what the station stands for: connection through shared experiences and great sound.
Why Local Radio Still Matters in 2025 (And Beyond)
Music will always evolve, and the ways we listen will keep changing.
But the need for connection never goes away.
In a world built on algorithms and isolation, local radio remains one of the last places that still feels human.
X92.9 is part of Calgary’s daily rhythm. It brings people together through sound, conversation, and shared experience. Listeners hear familiar voices, discover local artists, and stay close to the stories unfolding across the city.
That’s what gives local radio in general and X92.9 specifically its lasting power.
It reflects the people who live here and creates moments that remind us we belong. In a city that values authenticity and connection, that kind of presence matters.
Stay Connected with Calgary on X92.9
Every time you tune into X92.9, you’re part of something local and alive.
You’re supporting Calgary artists, local businesses, and the people who make this city what it is.
X92.9 is built on connection, creativity, and community that extends beyond the airwaves.
Keep listening. Keep showing up. And keep being part of the sound that brings Calgary together.
