Another year, another CMJ. New York’s multi-venue music industry festival has had its ups and downs, but in 2014 seems to be on an upswing, with a slew of big shows to go with the millions of struggling bands at tiny places, Tuesday-to-Saturday, October 21st to 25th:
CMJ party @ Spike Hill
Dani Mari
Click image for full gallery – Donald Lee
~
CMJ showcase @ Matchless
Coran Stetter
Click image for full gallery – Donald Lee
Modern Diet
Click image for full gallery – Donald Lee
Kissem
Click image for full gallery – Donald Lee
~
Flavorpill/Panache Booking showcase @ Cake Shop
Tonstartssbandht
Click image for full gallery – Derek Klevitz
OBN III’s
Click image for full gallery – Derek Klevitz
~
Madhouse showcase @ Arlene’s Grocery
The Wans
Click image for full gallery – Derek Klevitz
~
CMJ showcase @ Cake Shop
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Click image for full gallery – Derek Klevitz
Sex Jams
Click image for full gallery – Derek Klevitz
Heliotropes
Click image for full gallery – Derek Klevitz
~
CMJ showcase @ United Palace Theatre
Foster the People
Click image for full gallery – Ken Grand-Pierre
~
CMJ showcase @ Left Field (Downstairs)
EULA
Click image for full gallery – Ted Chase
After waiting in vain on the line for FADER Fort at Converse Rubber Tracks (see below), headed to the downstairs of a never-heard-of dive bar, Left Field, for EULA. Left Field’s downstairs had pitiful light and sound, but EULA still were able to bring their No Wave raw art-punk on songs like “Orderly”.
Dead Stars
So dark I couldn’t get photos of Dead Stars, who even remarked on the darkness (and had to literally walk right by the bassist to get to the bathroom). Some rawer rock ‘n’ roll, Dead Stars were playing their fifth show that week (QRO photos from another) and were headed into the studio on Monday.
~
Other notes:
-Tried to attend the final night of FADER Fort at Converse Rubber Tracks, but there was a massive line due to multiple rumors of who the special guest would be (turned out to be Mary J. Blige) and reportedly a lower capacity after the prior night’s altercation. People stepping out for a smoke couldn’t get back in, and even the Press/VIP line didn’t move.
-Getting M train at Marcy Avenue, saw couple coming from what must have been an early Halloween party – he was dressed like either Aeon Flux or The Fifth Element, spandex strips and beard (she had to carry his MetroCard).
Unfortunately missed:
-Erika Spring (QRO album review) @ Wythe Hotel.
-Titus Andronicus (QRO live review) @ Baby’s All Right (QRO venue review), 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM.
-Low (QRO album review) and Slowdive (QRO photos at a festival) @ Terminal 5 (QRO venue review), 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM. But caught Slowdive the next night in Boston (QRO photos).
-Mary J. Blige, ilovemakonnen, Ryn Weaver, and Foxes In Fiction (QRO photos at CMJ ’10) @ Converse Rubber Tracks, 9:30 PM – 1:00 AM.
-A Place To Bury Strangers (QRO spotlight on) @ Rough Trade NYC (QRO venue review), 1:30 AM – 2:15 AM.
