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Posted on Oct 21, 2014

CMJ A-Z: 37 Bands You Need To See

The CMJ Music Marathon is crazy, so here's an attempt at making it just a little bit easier to enjoy.

by Hugh McIntyre

Community Contributor

The CMJ Music Marathon has been around for 34 years, and every year it gets bigger and bigger. It has grown so large, it's impossible to come anywhere close to seeing and doing everything. There are 1,200 bands playing in every venue NYC has to offer (one I'm headed to is even at a Starbucks!), and weeding through them all is a daunting task.

I can't say I heard everyone on the roster, but I did spend the better part of the past week listening to several hundred of the artists playing this year's Marathon, and I've picked 37 that have me the most excited. They're listed alphabetically, because there's no way I could play favorites. Well, no more than I already am.

If you like what you hear, check the CMJ schedule and come to a show. See you there!