Wanna do CMJ for free? Volunteer and you can

If this week’s rain has had you thinking about the swift approach of fall, you’re not a moment too soon: CMJ has announced that they’re looking for volunteers for the 2013 festival, to the delight of discriminating but broke as hell music fans throughout the city. And while there’s no lineup yet for the 5-day festival that takes over almost every venue in town, last year’s  highlights included Sky Ferriera, Ratking, Skaters, LE1F, Angel Haze, Metz, Icona Pop, Savages, Foxygen, Kilo Kish and Delicate Steve, to name a few.

If all that sounds appealing but the nearly $500 price tag on a no-holds-barred full badge isn’t within your budget, then volunteering might be right up your alley: according to the site, every volunteer who completes all of their shifts gets a full CMJ registration badge.

And what capabilities, you may wonder, is CMJ looking for in applicants? A look at the application page shows the list of volunteer tasks range from the mundane, like helping with load-in and directing groups of (probably lost) people to the technical, like photography and videography to the potentially nightmarish (VIP management). There’s also a field on the application for you to list those skills that you possess that they don’t know they need someone to do yet. We’re guessing they don’t need any more up-and-coming indie bands, though, so maybe save it for next year when you’ve played Shea Stadium a few more times.

You’ll need to work at least 16 hours in order to score a full badge, but if you can commit to more than the minimum number of shifts, which range from 4 to 8 hours long, then you’ll be given scheduling preference over other volunteers (our guess about which shifts are popular: the morning ones, which conflict with fewer showcases).

So check your availability for mid-October, fill out the application on the CMJ site, and get stoked for some good music! Well, after a VIP throws up on your shoes.

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