Welcome to the first day of CMJ Music Marathon, where a head-spinning array of music, panels and parties await. Every day we’re going to make things easier for you by selecting 10 must-see acts that you dare not miss during CMJ. That means there are going to be at least 50 artists you need to add to your schedule. Thinking of pacing yourself by getting off to a gentle start? Think again. Listed below is a diverse selection of acts that will have you plotting out a venue route mere seconds after picking up your badge.

Make sure you check back in with us over the coming days for more tips on artists to see, panels to attend, parties to be seen at, and much more.

01. The Mountain Goats @ Bowery Ballroom

Mountain Goats

Lead Mountain Goat John Darnielle has combined folk with rock and indie impulses for several decades. His band plays CMJ at Bowery Ballroom tonight.

Click here to see them at CMJ.

The Mountain Goats CMJ profile page.

02. Ben Gibbard @ Brownies

The Death Cab For Cutie frontman releases his debut solo record, Former Lives, on Barsuk today. What better way to celebrate than seeing him at this intimate show at Brownies?

Click here to see him at CMJ.

03. We Were Evergreen @ CMJ Union

We Were Evergreen

We Were Evergreen are a Parisian trio who specialize in adding a dab of electro to their indie rock sound. They play this multi-band France Rocks showcase alongside a host of their compatriots.

Click here to see them at CMJ.

We Were Evergreen CMJ profile page.

04. Septicflesh @ The Gramercy Theater

The Conquerors Of The World tour rolls into New York City at the Gramercy, bringing pummeling Greek death metal veterans Septicflesh along for the ride.

Click here to see them at CMJ.

Septicflesh CMJ profile page.

05. LE1F @ Glasslands Gallery

Former Das Racist/Spank Rock producer LE1F stepped out of the shadows to produce his Dark York LP for Greedhead earlier this year. Find out how he fares in the live arena at this Terrible Records showcase.

Click here to see him at CMJ.

06. The Robert Glasper Experiment @ S.O.B.’s

Producer and jazz pianist Robert Glasper fuses jazz and hip-hop when he performs in a full-band setting with the Robert Glasper Experiment. Expect the unexpected at this special showcase at S.O.B.’s.

Click here to see him at CMJ.

The Robert Glasper Experiment CMJ profile page.

07. OFF! @ Irving Plaza

Anyone who thought Keith Morris had said all he had to say with the Circle Jerks and Black Flag got an (un)pleasant surprise when the frantic OFF! appeared. Expect plenty of crowdsurfing at this Irving Plaza show for CMJ.

Click here to see them at CMJ.

OFF! CMJ profile page.

08. Mac DeMarco @ Marlin Room at Webster Hall

Montreal-based singer Mac DeMarco transcends standard singer-songwriter fare with his idiosyncratic approach. He’s another artist celebrating the release of an album on the first day of CMJ—in this case 2 for Captured Tracks.

Click here to see him at CMJ.

Mac DeMarco CMJ profile page.

09. Metz @ Cameo Gallery

The tiny Cameo Gallery might not be able to contain the fury of Toronto’s Metz, who trade in short bursts of noise-punk laced with melody.

Click here to see them at CMJ.

Metz CMJ profile page.

10. Die! Die! Die! @ Le Poisson Rouge

Some of the best new music coming out of New Zealand will feature at Le Poisson Rouge tonight, with Dunedin’s Die! Die! Die! among them. They deal in a fuzzed-up guitar racket with a sweet pop edge undercutting the noise.

Click here to see them at CMJ.

Die! Die! Die! CMJ profile page.