CMJ have a list of bands that played their annual music marathon and even if you can get past the thousands upon thousands of bands that have played it, it is not unimpressive. Remember, it isn't as though you just plug in and play, you actually have to be screened and approved. I read where they received around 10,000 requests this year! ps, the Arcade Fire gig was at Mercury Lounge!!! And only one more question: may we have a list of the big bands they turned down!!!
2002 – Iron & Wine, Lamb of God, Mark Ronson, Mastodon, Moldy Peaches, My Morning Jacket, Sigur Ros, Gossip, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Explosions in the Sky, James Murphy, The Used, Jason Mraz
2003 – Andrew WK, Killers, Damien Rice, Jet, Sufjan Stevens, Against Me!, Mars Volta, My Chemical Romance, The National, The Rapture, The Shins, Broken Social Scene, Citizen Cope
2004 – Arcade Fire, Keane, TV On The Radio, Antony & the Johnsons, The Bravery, The Decemberists, Battles, Brazilian Girls, Regina Spektor, Coheed & Cambria
2005 – Feist, Grizzly Bear, Hot Chip, Wolfmother, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, We Are Scientists, Paramore, Jose Gonzalez, Devendra Banhart, New Pornographers
2006 – Justice, The Knife, Clipse, Cold War Kids, CSS, Girl Talk, Walkmen, Shooter Jennings, Secret Machines, Beach House, Ra Ra Riot, Mute Math
2007 – M.I.A., MGMT, Band of Horses, Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Deerhunter, Yeasayer, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Ghostland Observatory, Santigold
2008 – Lady Gaga, Passion Pit, Friendly Fires, Lykke Li, B.O.B., Crystal Castles, Janelle Monae, Jay Reatard, Justin Townes Earle, Naked & Famous
2009 – Mumford & Sons, Sleigh Bells, Surfer Blood, Temper Trap, The xx, Portugal. The Man, School of Seven Bells, The Antlers, Atlas Sound, Lana Del Rey
2010 – Avicii, Neon Indian, Dale Earnhart Jr Jr, Diamond Rings, Lower Dens, Oberhofer, Big Freedia, Oh Land, US Royalty, Braids, PS I Love You, First Aid Kit, Company of Thieves
2011 – Alabama Shakes, Gotye, Gary Clark Jr, Kendrick Lamar, Caveman, ASAP Rocky, AraabMUZIK, Art Vs. Science, EMA, Givers, Zomby