Forced to find their own funds, N.C. State’s college radio station expands its audience and ambitions

“It’s invaluable,” says Torres of the support that WKNC has given not only to T0W3RS but to the surrounding music community, too. “No other radio station is doing things like this.”

Perhaps the scene sounds rather insular and self-congratulating—a musician playing a song inspired by a radio station for a crowd gathered by the same radio station to raise money for themselves. But, remember, this crowd of 500 is the biggest for which Torres has played; the most he can draw for his own headlining shows, he calculates, is about 100. And as he admits onstage between songs, all beaming and breathless, “This is the best lineup I’ve ever been a part of. Thanks, WKNC. You’re killing it.”

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