Thursday, October 23
With the CMJ Music Marathon powering along until Saturday, lots of great shows abound this week, including many that are free to attend.
UK record label Bella Union was formed in 1997 by members of Cocteau Twins and has been influential in popularizing artists such as Father John Misty, Midlake and John Grant. In their Official CMJ Showcase, the label presents Berlin indie pop trio Ballet School, ethereal Mancunians Money, the shoegazy folk of Marissa Nadler and DJ sets by Wild Nothing and label founder Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins). From 10 p.m. at Le Poisson Rouge. Free.
New music and arts website Flood Magazine holds their New York Launch Party with a CMJ Showcase at Brooklyn Bowl featuring the edgy guitar pop of the Beach Fossils and Long Island’s electro-indie influenced Small Black. Free with RSVP or CMJ Badge. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.
Red Bull Sound Select presents this showcase featuring Nashville’s indie dance-pop Wild Cub, blues soaked soul from Amy Winehouse collaborator Liam Bailey and country-tinged soul from Denitia. From 8 p.m. at Warsaw. $10 at the door or $3 with RSVP. No pre-sales.
Brooklyn record label Captured Tracks is presenting an unofficial CMJ Showcase starring Omnian Music Group, Widowspeak, Juan Wauters, Dinner, Homeshake from 1 p.m. this afternoon at Baby's All Right. 146 Broadway, Williamsburg. Free, all ages.
Friday, October 24
Brooklyn Vegan presents a two-day free CMJ party at Baby's All Right in Williamsburg. From 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. today catch Dilly Dally, The Wytches, Tweens, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Protomartyr, The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die, Single Mothers and Twin Peaks.
Saturday’s lineup includes The Jazz June, Pity Sex, Beach Slang, Cayetana and Sport. 146 Broadway, Williamsburg. Free.
L.A.-based music blog Aquarium Drunkard presents their CMJ Party — “No Jacket Required” — this evening at Rough Trade NYC with an eclectic lineup including songwriter Kevin Morby, the art-rocking Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band, the poppy garage rock of Twin Peaks and the dreamy psychedelia of Springtime Carnivore. From 7 p.m. $15.
At the 13th Annual "A Great Night in Harlem" Herbie Hancock will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Quincy Jones. Many other jazz stars, old and new will be performing. The event is presented by the Jazz Foundation as a benefit to their Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund, which assists countless elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis across the country. From 8 p.m. at Apollo Theater. Concert tickets range from $75 to $1500 and are available for online purchase. 253 West 125th St, Harlem.
Brooklyn Night Bazaar is joining in the CMJ fun with Frankie Cosmos headlining a roster that also includes UK bands Flowers and Only Real, Irish band September Girls, and Beverly. From 7 p.m. 165 Banker St, Greenpoint. Free.
Saturday, October 25
Cameo Gallery is getting in the CMJ action with a headline performance by Italian dream pop auteur Porcelain Raft (Mauro Remiddi). Cameo Gallery, 7 p.m. Free with an RSVP. 93 North 6th St, Williamsburg.
A dozen bands, including White Fence and Moon Duo, celebrate the spirit of Austin Psych Fest at Rough Trade NYC from 6 p.m. Saturday evening. $14. 64 North 9th Street, Williamsburg.
Booking agents the Windish Agency are presenting a CMJ Showcase Saturday night at Brooklyn Bowl featuring a roster of on the rise artists including Blue Hawaii, Team Spirit, Adult Jazz, Aurora and Casual Sex. From 7 p.m. at 61 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg. $12.
Beautiful warehouse space The Wick presents Afro-soul instrumentalists The Budos Band Saturday evening. They’re launching a new album, “Burnt Offering.” From 8 p.m. 260 Meserole St., Bushwick.
The annual CMJ Aussie BBQ takes over the Delancey with a lineup that starts Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Watch out for the bizarre trippy beats of Fascinator at 8:15 p.m. 168 Delancey St. Lower East Side. Free.
Sunday, October 26
Zammuto are in town, hot on the heels of the release of their second album “Anchor.” As the DIY project of Vermont-based producer Nick Zammuto, formerly of The Books, Zammuto balances an experimental recording and compositional approach with great songs and surprising pop hooks. At Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St, Greenwich Village. From 8 p.m. $17.
Monday, October 27
All Music Guide calls UK band Temples debut album “Sun Structures” “an impressive debut that would be legendary now if it had been released in 1967; in 2014 it's merely the best psych pop around.” At Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place, Union Square. $26.
60s-influenced noise rockers A Place to Bury Strangers headline Death By Audio, the venue they helped create, which will soon be closing. From 7 p.m. $8.
Tuesday, October 28
L.A. glam metal rockers Mötley Crüe exhume the corpse for “The Final Tour” with the original shock rocker Alice Cooper in support. From 7:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. From $39.50.
Wednesday, October 29
Join upstate New Yorkers The Felice Brothers and a Neil Young cover band for “A Special Halloween Show” Wednesday night at Brooklyn Bowl. From 8 p.m. 61 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg. $20.