YOUR FAVORITE LOGO TV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

NOW: Who To See At CMJ Music Marathon

[caption id="attachment_30972" align="aligncenter" width="607" caption="Just hanging in the garden"][/caption]

As CMJ Music Marathon rolls into New York City this week the choices of what acts to see is overwhelming. The festival promises to showcase the next big things in music, but sometimes the “marathon” gets a little too accurate, and the enjoyment is overshadowed by rushing from venue to venue, trying to pack too many events into a single night. We’ve simplified the process with a single recommendation for each night of our favorite up-and-coming artists gracing NYC this weekend.

Tonight - Charlene Kaye, Rockwood, 9pm. Kaye is a fixture at Rockwood, and a welcome treat. She’s in the studio now working on an album funded on Kickstarter by her passionate fanbase before she joins the sold-out Starkid Tour with her fellow University of Michigan alums (including Glee’s Darren Criss, who duets with Kaye on her catchy “Dress and Tie” single). Take this chance to hear Kaye in her native setting before you have to pay way too much on Stubhub to see her in November.

Thursday - Making Friendz, Fontana’s, 7:30 pm. If you’re looking or a combo of dance pop and punk rock, look no further than Making Friendz. Tami Hart’s newest project appeals to the disco dance set with an edge, drawing from her past appearances with Sleater-Kinney, The Gossip and Le Tigre.

Friday - Shoot The Freak, Lone Wolf, 9 pm. The band played an acoustic set on Tuesday night that they managed to somehow still infuse with their particular brand of gritty glam rock. Even seated, bassist Mia Von Glitz is mesmerizing, and the band will be in their element Friday at Lone Wolf. (Our secondary recommendation for Friday is En Vogue (B.B. Kings, 9pm) because “Free Your Mind” is an amazing song and their comeback is worth it.)

Saturday - Heloise & The Savoir Faire, Mercury Lounge, 7pm. Funky ska-style music with a boatload of Glitter and Heloise Williams channeling the second coming of Debbie Harry -- how can you go wrong? This is camp done right and the perfect closeout to CMJ weekend.

Latest News