CBGB Music & Film Festival Dreams Big With Programming To Match

The CBGB Music & Film Festival taking place October 9 to 13 in New York has created a rich, multifaceted event for their second round. The movie "CBGB" will premiere, a diverse range of rock-related films will be screened and a concert is set for Times Square. In addition, film and music business conference events are planned and keynote speakers include Van Toffler and Duff McKagan.

A particularly high bar for the future was set by CBGB Music & Film Festival executive producer Tim Hayes who stated:

"The CBGB Music & Film Festival aims to become the largest international film festival in the world for premiering and showcasing movies and shorts that focus exclusively on music…No other major film festival in the country provides such a large platform for music based movies and there is no better place than New York City to do it."

That goal seems challenging but achievable and suggests that the festival as a whole is likely to push other aspects as well.

CBGB Movie Trailer

Music shows and events run throughout the festival. Performers span a pretty interesting range but it would be nice to see diversity in booking current acts that was closer to the diversity of the film screenings.

Highlights include the premiere of "CBGB" the movie and a free concert in Times Square with headliners My Morning Jacket, the Wallflowers and Grizzly Bear.

Van Toffler and Duff McKagan keynote the Music Conference and Eamonn Bowles will receive the 2013 Indie Award at the Film Conference. Both conferences include a variety of industry-related panels.

The NY Times noted that around 500 acts will appear in this year's music festival. Looking at the event overall, James C. McKinley Jr. notes the similarities to the CMJ Marathon and SXSW. It's hard not to wonder just how big the CBGB Music & Film Festival could get.

Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch/@crowdfundingm) also blogs at Flux Research and Crowdfunding For Musicians. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.