KXT kicked off 2025 with its first Public Music Meeting of the year at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton, bringing together music lovers, KXT staff, and a whole lot of opinions. Hosted by KXT Program Director Benji McPhail, the event gave attendees the chance to rate new music in real time, using 1-10 scorecards to weigh in on each song played.
Some of KXT’s on-air team—Lesley James, Jackson Wisdorf, Eric Bright, and Jeff Penfield—roamed the venue with microphones to capture audience reactions. From enthusiastic endorsements to brutally honest takes, the night was filled with lively discussions on what hit and what missed.
Most songs received a mix of reviews, but a few clear standouts emerged. Blondshell’s “T&A,” Jungle’s “Keep Me Satisfied,” and Matthew McNeal’s “Out of Time” all earned strong praise from the crowd.
Others sparked divided reactions—Franz Ferdinand’s “Night or Day” was both a Shazam-worthy hit and, according to another, reminiscent of a generic truck commercial. Guster’s “When We Were Stars” was described as good driving music but struggled to hold some listeners’ interest.
As the meeting wrapped up, the debate over each track continued, proving once again that music is deeply personal—and always better with a crowd. Keep an eye out for the next Public Music Meeting and join the conversation on what should (or shouldn’t) make it onto the KXT airwaves.
Jessica Waffles is a freelance photographer/videographer and regular contributor to KXT.
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