Well, it came and went just like that. CMJ 2011 was an interesting marathon of music and events to say the least, sprouting sprinkles of interesting parties, media-sponsored bonanzas that were “too exclusive” for other outlets to cover, and showcases that covered acts in the worlds of hip-hop, indie and trash maybe all too much. While CMJ was business as usual for some media (and of course college radio stations), it provided a very sobering look into how things have changed for the marathon festival. Whether it be the economy or the current musical business climate, CMJ did feel more segmented than ever before. Regardless, there were some definite highlights and lowlights from the fest. Check them out after the jump.
MISS: CMJ Showcase Fails
While CMJ is organized down to a T (most of the time), there are always pitfalls. Whether it is limited access for press or the act of RSVP-ing for a CMJ-badgeholder-only event, there’s definitely some weird ways to dampen moods for anyone with a badge. The most notable example was an unwelcome “you need to leave” from Knitting Factory door personnel, saying Zola Jesus’ CMJ-highlighted performance being a non-CMJ event. As the man said so eloquently “CMJ fucked up. You have to leave if you’re going to stay outside.” So we did.
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