There’s music festivals, and then there’s the CMJ Music Marathon. Running October 15 to 19 in venues across New York City, CMJ has long been the place for up-and-coming bands to be discovered, big names to hold intimate showcases, and much more.

CMJ itself is a hub of information about bands both online through their website as well as through their weekly CMJ New Music Report. As such, organizers are well-versed in up-and-coming artists as well as trends in the music industry.

While the complete lineup of artists has yet to be revealed, you can be sure it’ll be a who’s who of buzz bands as well as hand-picked music legends. Announced acts so far include The Long Winters, Menomena, The Dismemberment Plan, and Deep Dark Woods, with plenty more to be announced as the festival draws closer.

For those interested in the way the music industry functions, a number of panels take place at the CMJ Music Marathon. In a rapidly changing industry that continues to work hard at adapting to new technology, discussions are sure to be spirited at panels such as “The New Age of Independent Labels”, “Back in Black: The Return of Vinyl”, and “Broadcasted: The Reign of the Music Video”.

And while the CMJ Music Marathon will take over numerous Manhattan venues, you can expect there to be plenty of unofficial shows going on in clubs across the city as well. From dark, dingy venues to stately concert halls to Madison Square Garden, there’s a scene for every hankering.

As is always the case with New York City, you get so much more than just the CMJ Music Marathon when visiting Manhattan this October. Experience fall in the Big Apple via the city’s incredible collection of eateries, nightclubs, and lounges, and pick up all the latest in rock and roll fashion on Fifth Avenue.

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