These Radio Accolades consist of a meticulously curated list of the Top Radio Shows and the Top Radio Stations in the world according to SONGbiscuit. Recognition is not limited to a particular radio format or genre of music, but rather there is a clear focus on stations or shows which provide quality presentation of an eclectic and often unpredictable blend of music ranging from new indie rock and classic folk to the many roots and branches of Americana and beyond.
The rankings are continually updated as playlists, programming and on-air staff evolve for the better or worse. To learn more about the merits of the Radio Accolades and the high standards upon which the list was developed, please read the background narrative at the bottom of this page. The inaugural Radio Accolades were published in July of 2012, and the most recent update was published in August of 2023.
SONGbiscuit's Top Radio Shows | |
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 | 1. Michelle Briand on WUMB — Boston, Massachusetts SOUNDS: Americana, blues, indie, folk, new releases, local artists, music knowledge. |
 | 2. Off The Record with Pat James on Radio Nova — Dublin, Ireland SOUNDS: Classic rock, Irish rock, blues, emerging artists, live music, deep cuts, Interviews, music knowledge. |
 | 3. Jeremy Sole on KCRW — Los Angeles, California SOUNDS: World roots, rhythms, and remixes – past, present and future; music knowledge. |
 | 4. David Rodigan on BBC Radio 1Xtra — UK SOUNDS: Reggae classics and new releases, music knowledge |
 | 5. Ro “Wyldeflower” Contreras on KCRW — Los Angeles, California SOUNDS: Classic and eclectic R&B, Latin American DESCRIPTION: “A soulful, rhythmic journey through time and space… sonic love notes from cities to mountain tops, to the heart of the tropics and into the cosmos.” |
 | 6. Ann The Raven’s Blues on KCSN 88.5 — Northridge, CA SOUNDS: Blues – new and old, popular and rare. |
 | 7. Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2 — UK SOUNDS: Music rooted in jazz, from its heritage to its future, live sessions, interviews, listener interaction |
 | 8. Tyler “Boogie” Boudreaux on KCRW — Los Angeles, California SOUNDS: “A balanced diet of indie grooves, modern psych, alternative R&B and straight up rock and roll.” |
 | 9. Roddy Hart on BBC Radio Scotland SOUNDS: Classics, new music and emerging acts out of Scotland and beyond. Also notable is Roddy’s live music show, The Quay Sessions. |
 | 10. X-Posure w/ John Kennedy on Radio X — UK SOUNDS: New music, emerging artists, Track by Track (new album playbacks in full w/ interviews), listener interaction. SLOGAN: “Future Music for the World” |
 | 11. Larry Mizell, Jr. on KEXP — Seattle, Washington SOUNDS: “Contextualizing, educating, exploring. Bouncing, blistering, mixing it up. Afrobeat, disco, dub, funk, jazz, gospel, house, noise, pop, punk, prog, post-, rock, rap, reggae, shoegaze, salsa, soul and techno. Playing and speaking from the heart. Hopefully conveying the way that music, history, and life all converse in my head.” |
 | 12. Cerys Matthews on 6 Music — UK SOUNDS: Eclectic music from blues to beats with poetry and live sessions. Also check out her Blues Show on BBC Radio 2. |
 | 13. Steam-Powered Radio with Kelly Wells on KDHX from St. Louis, Missouri SOUNDS: Gritty old-time, hard-driving bluegrass, deep-south blues, heartbreak country, and relevant folk. |
 | 14. Shades of Blues with Kev “Legs” Walker on The Cat FM — Crewe, UK SOUNDS: Blues and interviews with blues musicians from around the world. |
 | 15. the615 on Lightning 100 (WRLT) — Nashville, Tennessee SOUNDS: New music from artists and bands based in Nashville. |
 | 16. Fresh Blood with Alex Baker on Kerrang! Radio — Birmingham, UK SOUNDS: New unsigned and independent bands from the UK and beyond ranging from heavy to mellow. Also check out Alex’s Fresh Blood Graduates show featuring bands who started their career on Fresh Blood. Outside of the UK, listen via the UK Radio Live website or app. |
 | 17. Tilt with John Barker on Dublin City FM — Dublin, Ireland SOUNDS: Irish music new and old, live sessions, interviews. |
 | 18. All Irish with Claire Beck on Today FM — Dublin, Ireland SOUNDS: Irish music new and old, live sessions, interviews. |
 | 19. John Creedon on RTÉ Radio 1 from Cork, Ireland SOUNDS: Classics and new music from Ireland and beyond, listener interaction, music knowledge |
 | 20. Celtic Heartbeat with Frank Hennessy on BBC Radio Wales SOUNDS: The best in traditional and contemporary folk and acoustic music from Celtic countries and around the world. |
 | 21. Devils Dinner Party with Liam Young on Hoxton Radio — London, UK SOUNDS: Fun presentation of a unique variety of classic rock n’ roll, rockabilly, psychedelia, country and beyond. |
 | 22. Sunta Templeton on Radio X Classic Rock — London, UK SOUNDS: Classic rock selections from all eras, ranging from chart-topping anthems to timeless deep cuts. For more Sunta, exchange classic rock for Radio X’s playlist as she is one of the main accompanies Johnny Vaughn on his daily show for an always fun bit of informative chat and listener interaction. |
 | 23. Blue Plate Special on WDVX — Knoxville, Tennessee SOUNDS: Americana performances broadcasted live from downtown Knoxville. For more fun with weekday host Red Hickey, be sure to check out Rumble on Saturday nights, a rockabilly show formerly hosted by the late great Doug Lauderdale. |
 | 24. Roots & Branches of Americana w/ Ray Wylie Hubbard on KNBT — New Braunfels, Texas SOUNDS: Songwriter swap featuring Americana artists from Texas and beyond. |
 | 25. Johnny Mack’s Blues Attack oon WDVX — Knoxville, Tennessee SOUNDS: Six hours of unique blues selections every Friday night since 1998. |
 | 26. Bethan Elfyn on BBC Radio Wales SOUNDS: New Welsh Music, classics, live sessions, interviews. |
 | 27. Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio — UK SOUNDS: New music and emerging acts out of Scotland and beyond. |
 | 28. Wyoming Sounds on Wyoming Public Radio SOUNDS: Wyoming and Mountain West artists, Americana, classics, blues, folk, pop, live sessions. |
SONGbiscuit's Top Radio Stations | |
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 | 1. KCRW — Santa Monica, California MISSION: “KCRW’s hand-picked music programming is thoughtfully curated by actual people. It encourages real music discovery and delivers a truly eclectic listening experience.” FORMAT: Eclectic music and news talk FUNDING TYPE: Member-supported non-commercial public radio funded through KCRW Foundation, licensed to Santa Monica College RECOMMENDED SHOWS: Jeremy Sole, Ro “Wyldeflower” Contreras, Tyler “Boogie” Boudreaux, Francesca Harding, Henry Rollins |
 | 2. WUMB — Boston, Massachusetts MISSION: “WUMB Radio is dedicated to produce, acquire, and disseminate high quality, diverse and valued public service radio programming to significant audiences. The radio station is committed to serving as a local and national resource for the cultivation, promotion and preservation of various genres of folk music through its radio programming and selected enterprises.” FORMAT: Americana, Roots, Blues, Folk FUNDING TYPE: Non-commercial listener-supported, licensed to the University of Massachusetts RECOMMENDED SHOWS: Nights with Michelle Briand, Spinning the Blues, Folk Tales, Dixie Bee Line, Highway 61 Revisited |
 | 3. WMOT / Roots Radio 89.5 FM — Nashville, Tennessee MISSION: “WMOT is lovingly and locally programmed for our community, right here in our WMOT studio by Jessie Scott. You will hear old favorites, deep cuts from artists you love and lots of emerging Americana artists.” FORMAT: Americana FUNDING TYPE: Non-commercial listener-supported, licensed to Middle Tennessee State University RECOMMENDED SHOWS: The Local Brew, The String, Ana Lee, Jessie Scott |
 | 4. The Current (KCMP) — St Paul, Minnesota MISSION: “The Current brings listeners the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic.” FORMAT: Adult Album Alternative (AAA) FUNDING TYPE: Non-commercial listener-supported, licensed to Minnesota Public Radio RECOMMENDED SHOWS: The Morning Show, United States of Americana, Local Show, Duluth Local Show, The Chart Show, New Hot, Radio Free Current |
 | MISSION: “KEXP's mission is to enrich your life by championing music and discovery. Our vision is a connected and compassionate world embracing curiosity and a shared love of music.” FORMAT: Alternative, Indie, Eclectic FUNDING TYPE: Non-commercial listener-supported, licensed to Friends of KEXP, affiliate of the University of Washington RECOMMENDED SHOWS: Larry Mizell, Jr., Audioasis, Sound & Vision, Preachin’ the Blues, Roadhouse, Swingin’ Doors |
 | SLOGAN: “Celebrating the alternative spirit of music and culture” FORMAT: Alternative, Indie, Eclectic FUNDING TYPE: Non-commercial digital station funded via BBC license fees RECOMMENDED SHOWS: Cerys Matthews, Gilles Peterson, Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq, Iggy Pop, Guy Garvey, Chris Hawkins |
 | 7. Indie 102.3 (KVOQ) — Denver, Colorado (formerly OpenAir Radio) MISSION: “Indie 102.3 is an independent music discovery platform that elevates Colorado-based music, musicians and experiences. We connect audiences with artists — guiding them to the discovery of new music from emerging artists and from those they know and love. We are committed to showcasing the work of women and diverse artists who are not yet receiving the attention they deserve.” FORMAT: Adult Album Alternative (AAA) FUNDING TYPE: Non-commercial listener-supported, licensed to Colorado Public Radio RECOMMENDED SHOWS: Jessi Whitten, Alisha Sweeney, Hear First, The Local 303, Bootleg Sessions |
 | 8. WDVX — Knoxville, Tennessee MISSION: “Create and provide content to promote the cultural heritage of East Tennessee and the Southern Appalachian region by entertaining and educating audiences globally with original programs showcasing live radio performance, under-represented arts, and emerging and local talent.” FORMAT: American Roots FUNDING TYPE: Non-commercial listener-supported, licensed to Cumberland Communities Communications Corporation RECOMMENDED SHOWS: Blue Plate Special, Category Stomp, Blues Attack, Rumble |
 | 9. The Ranch (KFWR) — Fort Worth, Texas SLOGAN: “The Sound of Texas” FORMAT: Texas / Red Dirt / Americana FUNDING TYPE: Commercial RECOMMENDED SHOWS: Shayne Hollinger, Heather, The Ranch Top 12, Elle, Malone |
 | 10. 8Radio.com — Dublin, Ireland MISSION: “The 8Radio philosophy is simple – we play the music we like. Everything Alternative from 80s synth pop to brand new Irish and international gems to 70s post-punk. If the song is good, we will play it. The core of our musical output is the very best new and classic Alternative music both international and Irish.” FORMAT: Alternative, Indie, Irish FUNDING TYPE: Commercial and listener-supported, independently owned and operated by 8Radio Vision Ltd. RECOMMENDED SHOWS: 8 Song Shuffle w/ Simon Maher, Sounds from a Green World, A to Z, Departure Lounge, Sunday Morning Call |
 | ARCHIVED: Phantom 105.2 — Dublin, Ireland Phantom was the deadliest indie rock station in Ireland, and was one of the original inspirations for me to start SONGbiscuit and to seek out great radio stations around the world. Ownership changes and corporate interests sadly marked its demise in March of 2014, however. I've curated an archive of many of the finales of Phantom's great shows to honour and remember the station by. TXFM took over the 105.2 frequency, but the station shut down at the end of October 2016. |
Great radio programming served as the main inspiration to start this blog in 2010, and radio continues to be the primary source that introduces me to amazing new music every day. I share my favorite discoveries here on SONGbiscuit because I know that finding extraordinary music in an enormous sea of mediocre, uninspiring pop music can be a near impossible expedition.
Likewise, I recognize how hard it is to find distinguishable and authentic radio in an ocean of profit-focused corporations which happen to include some popular songs in between radio advertisements. "Incredibly predictable porridge" is how the late great BBC Radio DJ John Peel described pop music programming, and sadly that description reigns true to this day as stations are continually collected by the bunch into corporate investment portfolios then consolidated into perpetual sameness.
Thankfully, I've found more than a few stations or radio shows around the world that are doing it the right way. I think it's only fair that I share these exemplary stations and shows with you, not only for your enjoyment, but also to potentially help them gain support with a new listener or two. My list was not compiled based on high ratings after all, but rather it's based on my listening to countless hours of their excellent programming. In point of fact, word-of-mouth is the most sincere form of promotion.
Some of these stations are among the dying breed of being truly independent, as in independently owned & operated. Some are publicly funded, largely through listener donations, license fees, and/or government funding. Although I do appreciate some Sirius XM stations and shows, I do not list any here since it is a subscription service that can be pricey.
Although some of these stations are owned by large corporations, most of my favorite radio stations — or at least most of the specific radio shows I've listed — have an indie approach to programming. What I mean by "indie approach" is that instead of simply funneling the most famous artists from the largest record labels onto the airwaves with the goal of maximizing advertising revenue, these fine stations or hosts actually care about the music and artists. They take pride in the music that's played across their airwaves. Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's good.
Every host or presenter that I've mentioned display genuine personalities and unaffected voices. They often have a deep knowledge of musical heritage and the artistry that is required to craft unique music.
Since my favorite stations and shows are based in cities ranging from London to Honolulu, I obviously listen via internet streaming. Although I do listen on a computer while at home, the vast majority of listening is via my iPhone while I'm at the office or in the car. Many stations have their own apps, or their streams are accessible via radio apps such as TuneIn or ooTunes.
Regardless of your method of listening, hopefully these radio stations and shows will enlighten and entertain you. Chances are, if you already enjoy the music that appears on SONGbiscuit, then you will likely also enjoy many of the stations that I've given accolades. If you have any comments, or if you have any radio stations or shows to recommend, please submit your feedback to me via email or here on tumblr.