Almost everybody has a love for the 80s. Some people, it’s a guilty pleasure, they kind of keep it a secret. Some people wear it on their sleeve — like our own DJ Robert Drake. But everybody seems to love something of the 80s, whether it’s the music or the movies or just the whole pop cultural atmosphere. And here, at XPN, we’re doing something about it: we’re declaring the week of March 25th through March 30th XPN Loves The 80s week!
All of our regular weekly features will be decked out in Day Glo: Kristin Kurtis presents an 80s-centric Friday Morning Mixtape, Bob Bumbera’s music news reports will include “The Year That Was” features,” the Morning Show’s 90s at 9 becomes 80s at 9. Mike Vasilikos’ Local Picks will be 80s themed, Dan Reed hosts Highs in the 80s every day at 6 p.m.. The WXPN Local Show goes all-80s, as does the Indie Rock Hit Parade.
The whole week culminates in an expansive, 24-hour edition of Land Of The Lost starring DJ Robert Drake, kicking off at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 29th and running until 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 30th. Drake is no stranger to marathon broadcasts, hosting the 24+ hour holiday special The Night Before every year, and like he says “it’ll be like that, but not.” The studio will be decked out in 80s memorabilia care of South Street Art Mart, and you can check in on Drake via video livestream — only this time it’s not the Jingle Cam, it’s the 80s Camcorder!
Check out a full rundown of 80s programming below, and tune in to XPN Loves The 80s at 88.5 FM in Philly or streaming worldwide right here at XPN.org.
9 a.m. – The XPN Morning Show’s Name Chain Game goes 80s!
12 p.m. – Midday Show Lunch Hour Theme : Best debuts of the 80s!
1 p.m. – The XPN Local Pick spotlights The Dead Milkmen!
6 p.m. – Dan Reed brings you Highs In The 80s.
Tuesday, March 26th
9 a.m. – The XPN Morning Show’s Twofers of Twofers celebrates ‘80s duos!
12 p.m. – Midday Show Lunch Hour Theme : Live! From the 80s
1 p.m. – The XPN Local Pick spotlights The Ocean Blue!
4 p.m. – Dan Reed’s Double Dutch Special celebrates 80s hip-hop!
6 p.m. – Dan Reed brings you Highs In The 80s.
8 p.m. – The WXPN Local Show showcases the Philly scene of the 80s with studio sessions from the vaults starring Tommy Conwell, Crash Course In Science, and The Dead Milkmen. We’ll also hear 80s classics from Patti LaBelle, The Hooters, Ruin, Cool C and more.
10 p.m. – The Indie Rock Hit Parade celebrates the ‘80s with spotlights on albums turning 40 in 2024, including classics by Depeche Mode, Cocteau Twins, and The Go-Betweens. We’ll also spotlight the golden age of college radio with an hour of songs by Pixies, Kate Bush, XTC, and more from 1989.
9 a.m. – The XPN Morning Show presents 80s at 9!
12 p.m. – Midday Show Lunch Hour Theme: Soundtrack Songs
1 p.m. – The XPN Local Pick spotlights The Vels!
6 p.m. – Dan Reed brings you Highs In The 80s.
9 a.m. – Covers that became 80s hits on First Song First!
12 p.m. – Midday Show Lunch Hour Theme: MTV Hits
1 p.m. – The XPN Local Pick spotlights Tuff Crew!
5 p.m. – An 80s pull from John Stanley of John’s Dollar Bin!
6 p.m. – Dan Reed brings you Highs In The 80s.
9 a.m. – An 80s-centric hour of community-curated music on the Friday Morning Mixtape!
10 a.m. – The Fab Four spotlight looks at the 80s-era music from the members of The Beatles!
1 p.m. – The XPN Local Pick spotlights Book Of Love!
4 p.m. – An all-80s edition of Funky Friday!
7 p.m. – The Land Of The Lost 24-hour 80s spectacular kicks off!
