Aussie Acts Dominate CMJ Festival 2012 Lineup

Following on from Australia’s successful infiltration of South By Southwest 2012, a whole slew of our national treasures are being featured in the high-profile CMJ Music Festival in New York City in an eclectic lineup, featuring everything from the likes of NYC natives The Walkmen to rap stars GZA and Killer Mike.

The first round of artists for the Big Apple’s music event were announced at a party held at the city’s Mercury Lounge, with the first batch of names to appear to the 2012 event, held on October 16-20, including a number of Australian acts to get major exposure at the five-day music festival.

The Presets lead the pack, fresh from dropping material from their forthcoming album, Pacifica, their first new material in nearly four years since the all-conquering Apocalyptica. Their CMJ appearance in October follows soon after the electro-rock duo’s headline slot at the forthcoming Parklife Festival in September.

Neo-soul maverick Kimbra will also be playing CMJ Festival and after her winning the hearts of fans and industry types alike at her SXSW 2011 debut, she’s likely to add more to her ever-growing flock of musical admirers. It’s a shoo-in too considering the success of her first album, Vows, state-side, debuting at an impressive #14 chart position after its overnight release in May. 

Previous Australian Music Prize winners, The  Jezabels are also joining the lineup, delivering their imperious, atmospheric rock to American fans after touring the nation (and greater Europe) last year off the back of their full-length debut, Prisoner.

Fellow Triple J favourite and Queensland Music Award nominee, Emma Louise is also CMJ-bound, set to wow New Yorkers with plenty of time left to make it back for her appearances at the Queenscliff Music Festival and Homebake 2012.

Last but not least, is the Twerps, who have already found international favour for their Flying Nun records-styled guitar chill with tastemakers Pitchfork. The forthcoming Meredith Music Festvial act round out what it a strong Australian presence on an important festival billing on the international scene.

You can read the full list of acts below, but personally, our hearts are beating with patriotic pride to see these acts capitalising on their local success with some international recogniton. Who knows? Maybe if you save your biscuits, you can pony up for a ticket and cheer them on in person?

CMJ MUSIC MARATHON 2012 // FIRST LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT

October 16th-20th, New York City

The Presets
The Walkmen
The Mountain Goats
Kimbra
GZA
OFF!
King Tuff
Killer Mike
Com Truise
DIIV
Pig Destroyer
The Jezabels
Electric Guest
Poolside
Daughn Gibson
Robert DeLong
Icona Pop
Emma Louise
Mac DeMarco
Prince Rama
Young Magic
The Stepkids
MS MR
Sundress
The Soul Rebels
Twerps