General Questions
Artist & Showcase Questions
Conference Questions
Press Questions
General Questions
Q: What are the dates of the CMJ Music Marathon?
A: This year’s festival will be held from October 15 – 19, 2013.
Q: What is CMJ Music Marathon?
CMJ Music Marathon is the world’s most important platform for the discovery of new music. Every fall, CMJ invades New York City with over 1,300 artist performances, filling more than 80 of the city’s greatest venues, nightclubs and theaters.
Attendees have access to 1,400+ artist performances, plus hundreds of panels, seminars, Q&As, nighttime parties, meet and greets, mixers and special events.
Over 120,000 fans, entertainment industry professionals, college radio tastemakers, bloggers, press and musicians come from around the world to join us for the Marathon madness.
Q: Whereabouts in New York City is the Marathon held?
A: CMJ Marathon showcases are held in over 80 venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our daytime programming is headquartered at NYU’s campus in Greenwich Village. While locations will vary from year to year, here’s the list of CMJ 2012′s venues to give you an idea.
Q: How many years has CMJ Music Marathon been happening?
A: 2013 marks the 33rd year of Music Marathon.
Q: What benefits do I get for registering for the CMJ Marathon?
A: CMJ registrants with a full general or student badge get access to hundreds of showcases, more than 70 panels, Entertainment Law Seminar, exclusive parties, special events plus a CMJ registration gift bag and commemorative Festival Guide.
Access to all events is based on venue capacity on a first come, first serve basis for every badge type. Head here to register.
Q: Why should I register for CMJ early?
A: To save money, of course! The sooner your register for CMJ, the more you save off the full badge price of $549. Check out our latest discounts here.
Q: Is there a registration discount for students?
A: Yes. We offer special discounts for students with a valid college ID, including early registration and multiple registration discounts. Click here to view our latest discounts for students.
Q: Are tickets to individual showcases available for purchase?
A: This will vary by event. Please contact the venue of the specific show you have in mind for full ticketing information.
Q: Do festival badges guarantee entrance to all shows, panels, parties, special events, etc?
A: Admission to all CMJ events is based on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to venue capacities and policies. Please come to events early to ensure your entry.
Q: Can I get into clubs if I’m under 21?
A: Individual club policies remain in full effect during CMJ. In other words, if a club is usually 21 and over, it will remain so during CMJ. The best way to find out is to call the club directly and inquire about their age policy.
Q: Do you have a list of all the bands playing, as well as set times?
A: The schedule is available on the main page of the CMJ Marathon site. All showcase updates will be posted on our site as soon as they are confirmed. The site will be updated frequently prior to and throughout the event. Be on the look out for this starting in late summer.
Additionally, a complete schedule is printed in the CMJ Music Marathon Festival Guide, which comes with your registration bag. The registration bags can be picked up during registration hours at conference headquarters.
Q: Can I volunteer for CMJ?
A: Yes. Volunteer positions are open to everyone ages 18 and up. CMJ recruits both on-site event volunteers as well as volunteer photographers. Check back later in the summer to apply.
Q: What happens if I misplace my badge?
A: Unfortunately, lost or stolen badges cannot be replaced. Badges can only be replaced by purchasing a new badge at full price. Our best advice: look super-duper hard.
Q: Is there transportation to get me from club to club?
A: You’ve got a few options: your feet, taxis, and NYC buses and subways, just to name a few. Head here for info on NYC transit system.
Q: Where do I pick up my badge?
A: Your badge can be picked up at NYU’s Greenwich Village campus at the Judson Memorial Church, located at 55 Washington Square South between Thompson and Sullivan Streets. Wheelchair access entrance is at 243 Thompson Street. Check back closer to the event for updates on registration hours.
Q: Are venues accessible to attendees with special needs?
A: We at CMJ are especially committed to accommodating the special needs of all attendees. Both CMJ registration hall and conference center are handicap-accessible. Unfortunately, some venues are better equipped than others. Please call the club directly and inquire about their facilities.
Q: I have a suggestion for CMJ Marathon, whom should I contact?
A: Please fill out our contact form, found here. We’ll do our best to respond to relevant inquiries.
Q: Where do I find information on showcasing my products or services?
A: We offer numerous opportunities for your company or organization to showcase its products, services and artists to thousands of CMJ attendees. Special custom and discount packages are available. For more information, email marketing[at]cmj.com.
Artist & Showcase Questions
Q: How do I apply to play at CMJ?
A: Please note that CMJ accepts showcase submissions exclusively via Sonicbids. If you would like to be considered for a showcase slot at the 2013 event, please apply via Sonicbids here. Please refer to the Sonicbids site for any questions regarding your application, fees, deadlines, and other submission logistics.
Q: Did my band make the cut? Have you reviewed my application yet? Have I been accepted?
A: Every artist that submits via Sonicbids will be carefully reviewed. Please check our Sonicbids application page for information on deadlines and updates as to when you should expect to hear back from CMJ.
Q: How do I set up a label showcase?
A: The first step is to submit the artists who are available/interested. Then contact the Showcase Department at showcase[at]cmj.com indicating your interest in having a showcase and listing which artists we’re talking about.
Q: I submitted an application for a CMJ Music Marathon showcase. Am I registered for the event?
A: A showcase application is not the same as registration. Artists selected for CMJ Music Marathon showcases will receive complimentary full CMJ badges. However, we unfortunately, we cannot give free badges to those not selected for a CMJ showcase.
Q: Who in a showcasing band is eligible for CMJ badges?
A: All performing band members receive complimentary registrations. Managers, labels and other business affiliates are not eligible.
Q: Can I advertise my showcase in the CMJ Festival Guide, on CMJ.com or through the CMJ mailing list?
A: Yes. To inquire about advertising packages and rates, please email marketing[a]cmj.com.
Conference Questions
Q: Where do panels and all other daytime events occur?
A: Panels, exhibits, mentor sessions, and all other conference events will take place at the Kimmel Center at New York University’s Greenwich Village campus, located right on Washington Square Park South.
Q: What is College Day?
A: Serving as a special “fest within a fest,” College Day is an all-day seminar specially programmed for college radio personnel. College Day features thought-provoking panels, mentoring sessions, exclusive artist performances and the annual favorite College Radio Awards.
Q: What are Mentor Sessions?
A: In conjunction with CMJ’s commitment to educating as well as entertaining, registrants can sign up to have one-on-one sessions with professionals working across the music world, for valuable insight and advice on thriving in the industry. Check your Festival Guide or the CMJ online schedule closer to the event date for more details.
Q: What does CLE mean?
A: CLE stands for Continuing Legal Education. A special subset of CMJ’s daytime programming, CLE panels explore the nitty-gritty legalese and music business basics in these unpredictable times. Panels are open to lawyers, industry power players, artists, and all CMJ badgeholders alike.
Q: How can I submit a panel idea? How can I submit myself or someone else as a panelist/moderator?
A: If you’d like to submit a panel idea or recommend a panelist/moderator, please send us an inquiry here.
Press Questions
Q: How do I apply for press or photo credentials?
A: Please check back later in the summer to apply for press or photo credentials.
Q: What is the deadline to apply for press credentials? When will I know if I have been accepted?
A: Please check back later in the summer to apply for press or photo credentials.
Q: What access will I have with press credentials? Can I go backstage?
A: Press passes are the same as full registrant Marathon badges with additional access to press-exclusive events and the Artist Lounge. Press passes do not necessarily give you backstage access, but they offer entrance to all day and nighttime events.
That said, we do recommend that you come to events early, as entrance is not guaranteed and will depend on the capacity of the venue.
Q: What access will I have with a photo pass?
A: If you apply for a photo pass with your press pass, the pass will allow you to photograph/video events during the week (pending venue restrictions). We urge all members of the media looking to photograph any events to check with that specific venue in advance for any restrictions.
Q: Can I show up the week of CMJ Marathon for credentials?
A: We strongly discourage this, as all approvals will need to be made prior to issuing any credentials, so press access on-site is not guaranteed. However, if you do request on-site, visit the press desk at the Registration area and be sure to bring a letter from your editor on letterhead, a business card, and a sample of your press work.
Q: Do press members get a +1 guest for the event?
A: No. Only members of the media, reporting on the event, will be given press passes.
Q: Where do I pick up my press badge?
A: Press credentials can be picked up at the press desk at Registration at The Judson Memorial Church, located at 55 Washington Square South between Thompson and Sullivan Streets. Wheelchair access entrance is at 243 Thompson Street. Check back for details on registration hours.
Have a question we didn’t answer? Please contact us here.