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Local music scenes have paved the way for bands we know and love today: Nirvana, The Beatles, The Kinks and Paramore. The list goes on. Kent fosters its own bustling local music scene full of diverse sounds, and at the heart of it all, a production, .  

Kentcore started in 2020, with passion and fervor. Coined as “music-driven media,” Kentcore seeks to feature all types of local bands. Giving them a chance to not only show their work but also show their personalities too.

The show starts out with a 30-minute set performed by the featured act. After the set concludes, the host conducts an interview and plays a game with the talent. 

Junior applied media major Charley Fox, Kentcore’s showrunner, and digital media production major Isa Eldridge, Kentcore’s AV director, have been able to share their love of music through Kentcore. Beyond the live show, Kentcore has members who will write about the local music scene, upcoming shows, albums they are enjoying and much more. Editorial, photography, graphic designers and videographers make Kentcore what it is.

“We are a collective of people who like music,” Fox said. “When we come together, it really is just a group of people who make things and who want to talk about music.”  

Black Squirrel Entertainment is part of . By providing access to industry-standard broadcast equipment and real-world production sets, �������� offers high-quality academics that prepare students for the competitive media landscape. This distinctive program through Student Media ensures that graduates possess the career readiness and portfolios needed to lead in the creative industries.

Katrina Chandler, director of student media, has been rallying for students' success in media for a long time. As a young radio show host, her love for media and working with students has carried through to her professional career.  

“I care a lot about what happens to students in student media,” Chandler said. “My goal is to foster students through the program, get them to graduate and then hopefully they have a job. I want to see them succeed.”  

Student media is a great resource for student creativity. Students can pitch ideas, make their own radio shows, work with organizations and so much more. It is a great opportunity to be creative and learn how to use industry-standard technology.

Kentcore gives a wide variety of acts a chance to take the stage and perform for the show. From punk, pop, rock, folk, alternative, hardcore, jam and many more genres, Kentcore seeks to feature a spectrum of music to listen to.  

Each semester is a new season at Kentcore, which is now celebrating its 13th. Over the years, the show has featured acts like Skwerm, Daisy Chain, Funeral Proposals, Deers and additional talented acts. Looking forward to the end of the season, Kentcore is excited to feature some exciting acts, all of which you will have to stay tuned for.  

Kentcore has been a rich experience for both Fox and Eldridge. They have fond memories of making merch, going to shows, building a community and having a sense of purpose when it comes to bringing people together. Aside from the memories, being a part of the organization means gaining hands-on experience with tools and equipment, which can be great for students looking to get jobs in creative fields.    

“We are kind of spoiled,” Fox said. “We get to see new bands and live music every other week.”  

Both Fox and Eldridge recognize the importance of local music scenes and supporting your community. It has the chance to positively impact many lives.  

“It’s an ecosystem, the more people you bring into it, the stronger it is,” Eldridge said. “It just benefits everybody. People get to see shows, musicians find fans that connect to their music, and everyone else gets to participate in whatever way they want to.”  

Eldridge is speaking from experience, a Kentcore promo video she created was submitted to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which promotes creative leadership and recognizes artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry.  

With resources and awards like these, it is hard not to join a broadcast organization, especially Kentcore.