228 Yonge Street 416-408-3343 [see on map] Official site

102.1 THE EDGE is the Spirit of Radio. Yes, like the Rush song. Only they don't play Rush.

Launched in 1977 out of Brampton and still known by its call letters CFNY, it's Toronto's longest standing alternative rock music station on the commercial radio dial programming local independent music and breaking new bands from afar.

Over the years, it has changed formats (including an embarrassing Top 40 sell-out phase, mercifully short-lived), owners (it's currently run by Corus) and locations (including Bloor and Bathurst, now site of a fast food joint).

The station's current studio at 228 Yonge Street offers a street level, public view of the on-air action, where fans can mingle with DJs and bands. Eagles of Death Metal, Sloan, Coldplay, Billy Corgan and many more have played free intimate/acoustic sets there. (Coldplay's mass of fans caused a near riot on Yonge.) Even when the big names are not in town, the "storefront studio" hosts the Steam Whistle Indie music series weekly, presenting live performances by local bands.