It’s called a marathon for a reason kids. Each year, thousands of CMJ attendees attempt (and fail) to run the gamut of showcases, screenings, panels and parties. With so much going on—in a city that already has too much going on—it’s easy to end up locked in your hotel room with five other zombies, ordering more bottles of vodka through room service and hoping one of these music industry flacks still has an expense account to pay for it. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s URB’s list of five bands and five events you shouldn’t miss.
TUESDAY
Leonard Cohen: Live at the Isle of Wight 1970
Start a week dedicated to the future of music by going back to 1970 to experience Leonard Cohen’s stunning set that followed Jimi Hendrix’s legendary appearance. Try not to get to depressed if this is the best concert you see all week. Celluloid have a way of making every performance look better than it actually was for the audience. 7PM @ Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Annex
Warpaint
URB has been up on this psychedelic-tinged band for a couple of years, finally putting them in our Next 100 this past spring. We’re pretty sure they’re playing the most shows of any band at CMJ this year, so catch their first one so you can recommend them to people throughout the rest of the week. 8PM, Mercury Lounge
WEDNESDAY
Panel: A Thriving Revival Of The Dance Music Genre
Some rocket scientist at CMJ scheduled the one dance music panel at the exact same time as the screening of Speaking In Code, which is a movie about techno. That’s gonna upset someone we’re sure. We’d go for the panel if only because panels tend to enlighten and inspire while documentaries about the techno scene usually just make you want to move to Berlin. 2PM, NYU, Kimmel Center, 4th Floor, Room 406
The Very Best
Past CMJs have inflicted Vampire Weekend onto the world. Odds are they hype won’t be quite as deafening for this duo of Malawi ex-pat Esau Mwamwaya and dance music producer Radioclit. But then again, their new album does feature Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig and M.I.A. So expect some sort of buzz, especially if either guest makes a surprise appearance. 11PM, Le Poisson Rouge
THURSDAY
Screening: Kid Creole and My Coconuts
The early ’80s remain a crucial time in New York City’s musical history. Go back in time with this documentary about the life story of Adriana Kaegi, better known as Mama Creole, who co-founder the seminal carribean-funk-punk outfit Kid Creole and the Coconuts with husband and bandleader Aug Darnell. Follow the groups late-’70s rise in underground New York to their ’80s heyday performing for Predidents and scoring Top 10 hits. 9:15PM, Clearview Cinemas Chelsea
DJ A-Trak and Craze
Despite all of the hot new acts performing at CMJ, you know you’ll fall for waiting in line to see some of the more established talent on the line-up. So why not cram into an overheated club to hear two of the best DJs of the past decade. They may be elder statesmen of the ones and twos, but you know A-Trak and Craze will be dropping the hottest new tracks to be found anywhere. 11PM, B.B. King’s
FRIDAY
Featured Speaker: Emmanuel Jal
By now, you’ve probably not looked at a newspaper or turned on CNN in a couple days, so get back to reality by learning the compelling story of Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jai, who will tell his story as a child soldier in the Sudanese rebel army. Themes of redemption through music should keep this presentation from being to harsh of a buzz kill. 1PM, NYU, Kimmel Center, 4th Floor, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
Hey Champ
Co-signed by Lupe Fiasco on his new FNF label, this electro-rco foursome are sure to be one of the most talked about bands at CMJ. You’ll need their level of energy to keep on your feet this late in the race. 11:30PM, Crash Mansion (Downstairs)
SATURDAY
Slayer Listening Party
This is one for the real men. If you can get out of bed, get to Webster Hall, and listen three hours of metal—including Slayer’s new one, World Painted Blood—while quaffing free Pabst and tequila after four straight days of CMJ, well, you should tell us how it was because we’ll probably still be asleep. 3PM, The Studio @ Webster Hall
Dark Meat
It’s definitely time to escape Manhattan kiddies. So get on the F-train after midnight to catch this rambunctious Athens troop who will rock your socks off like a modern day Sha-Na-Na. It’s not an official showcase, but you’ll have probably lost your badge by now anyways. 2AM, Grasslands Gallery
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