Saturdays at 9:00 pm
Unique weekly series featuring songs, silliness, and show tunes
Original and offbeat, this three-hour Saturday night romp presents fresh new singer-songwriters alongside well-known artists who have played at Chicago area clubs, concert venues, festivals, and on the comedy scene. Inclusive, high-energy, and always entertaining, The Midnight Special offers listeners a lively potpourri of folk songs, ballads and blues, showtunes, spoken word, and hilarious novelty routines. Escape into the stories, experience the emotions, and let loose with a good guffaw whenever you tune in. Get onboard here, on wfmt.com, or use the WFMT app. The Midnight Special first aired in 1953 with Mike Nichols as host. View The Midnight Special archived playlists.
You might also be interested in WFMT's weekly series Folkstage featuring a one-hour folk concert.
The Midnight Special is available for free streaming in two different ways – live during the broadcast and on demand via the rights-compliant 5-hour, non-interactive player below within two weeks of the broadcast.
What’s In a Name?
Traditional and contemporary songs about vivid characters from Alice Anne to Mr. Zero.
The Games People Play
Folk songs with a monopoly on fun, wit and fair play.
Music of Indigenous People
Music from Kim Moberg’s Seven Fires Prophecy: A Suite for Humanity illuminating Anishinaabe legends, brand new versions of indigenous language songs from the Philippines, and an interview with Raye Zaragoza about her recent Hold That Spirit CD.
October Songs
Folk music for the turning of the seasons and changing colors.
On Track with The Midnight Special
Train songs, plus an 80th birthday salute to Corky Siegel.
Hauntingly Good Folk Music
You need look no further than to folk traditions for a wicked good scare.
