NEW YORK, NY—Two high-profile solo acts proved to be highlights of the first night of the 35th annual CMJ Music Marathon.

Real Estate’s Martin Courtney and Animal Collective’s Panda Bear impressed crowds shuffling around the Lower East Side on Tuesday (October 13) with shows at Rockwood Music Hall and the Bowery Ballroom, respectively.

Courtney, playing Fordham University’s WFUV showcase, debuted songs from his forthcoming solo LP, Many Moons, due out October 30th via Domino USA. His five-piece band appeared confident performing the new tracks, which included the popular and recently released singles “Northern Highway,” “Airport Bar,” and “Vestiges.”

Fans can look forward to the album’s warm opening number, “Awake,” and instrumental title track—two songs sure to please anyone familiar with Real Estate’s pleasant pop catalogue.

Those lucky enough to catch both shows had time to grab a bite before shuffling up a few blocks to the Bowery for Panda Bear’s performance, prefaced with a DJ set from fellow Animal Collective member Deakin and a raucous set from heavy-as-hell NY rockers PC Worship. Noah Lennox himself took the stage just after 10:00 p.m., where he launched into a set comprised mostly of tunes from his recent full-length, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, and coinciding EPs, Mr Noah and Crosswords.

The crowd stood in awe as footage from a video projector danced across Lennox’s face and dizzying strobes assaulted the senses. Tracks like “Mr Noah,” “Boys Latin,” and “Tropic of Cancer” hypnotized the audience—particularly the ascending aquatic piano melody on “Cancer.”

Things wrapped up just before midnight, leaving fans free to wander to another late night CMJ show or meander home to rest up for the remaining four days of music.