CMJ Music Fest offering 1,000 bands

NEW YORK, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- More than 1,000 varied musical bands are set to take the stage as New York's annual CMJ Music Fest begins its five day run.

The 2006 rendition of the annual music festival was extended an entire day in order to fit the event's expansive list of performers who are set to play at nearly 50 venues across New York from Tuesday until the fest concludes on Saturday, the New York Post reported.

Among those more recognizable names slated for the event are The Cardigans, who are scheduled to perform Tuesday night, and The Shins, whose mellow rock will fill the Bowery Ballroom when the band performs Wednesday.

The festival will also feature performances from up-and-coming acts such as Cold War Kids, Steve Earle, the Delancey and The Knife.

The Post said the festival will wrap up its 2006 run with an airing of the Oasis tour documentary "Lord, Don't Slow Me Down" and a corresponding interview with lead singer Noel Gallagher.