CMJ 2012: TONY's top 20 Tweets

If you tuned in to the TONY Music Twitter channel during CMJ last week, you know we aren't exaggerating when we say we had the fest covered. Five writers blanketed the city—from buzzy hip-hop gigs in zoolike Williamsburg to a breezy metalcentric concert cruise on the Hudson—offering up-to-the-minute dispatches on the action. Below, we present 20 choice selections from the smartphone blitz. If you like what you see, why not follow us? (Wink, wink…)

RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to the CMJ Music Marathon

And ‪@metztheband‬ wraps up in under half an hour - the kind of tantrum that leaves you beaming. -HS ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 16, 11:23pm

.@deathgripz have all frequencies set on stun. Punishing high-end snare, gravitational bass throb. -HS ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 17, 10:41pm

.@Soundcheck's John Schaefer filming ‪@deathgripz‬ on his iPhone. An only-in-NYC moment at ‪@nprmusic‬ showcase. -HS ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 17, 11:19pm

Action Bronson just did a lap around the venue. Tried to hand off a bite of my ice cream sandwich but no luck. -af Oct 18, 11:33pm

Sultry synth-pop in one room (MS MR) mid90s VFW punk in another (Toys That Kill). A crowd of people that called in sick ‪#CMJ‬ ‪#dayparties‬ -af Oct 19, 4:51pm

"Who can get the most f*cked up by the time Prong goes on?" -sound dude. -HS ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 19, 8:29pm

.@prongmusic showing off staccato groove savvy - the blueprint for the Meshuggahs of the world? -HS ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 19, 10:07pm

One thing can be learned from ‪@freeenergy‬'s set -- too many glow sticks is never really enough glow sticks. RS ‪#cmj2012‬ Oct 19, 10:23pm

.@TroyAve is starting to heat things up. He's wearing an NWA hat, rapping over 808s that bounce. -IG ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 19, 10:59pm

.@MRMFNeXquire's DJ is wearing a Storm Trooper costume. The controversial MC comes onstage and captivates the crowd instantly. -IG ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 20, 12:29am

.@rocmarci is all business. Intricate flow that keeps you guessing, strong conviction, primo production behind it. -IG ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 20, 12:38am

.@actionbronson joins ‪@rocmarci‬ onstage and throws a lit joint into the crowd. The crowd loses it. -IG ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 20, 12:48am

With their menacing beats and potent vocals, ‪@iconapop‬ were beyond phenomenal. Female empowerment at its finest. RS ‪#cmj2012‬ Oct 20, 12:59am

Saying "f*ck police" with the rest of ‪@pitchforkmedia‬ party at Villains for Joey Bada$$. Not sure what else to do. ML ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 20, 12:59am

Just met ‪@kittaveli‬ outside ‪@brooklynvegan‬'s ‪@PublicAssembly‬ party, and she wanted me to say she's dropping a new mix tape soon. ML ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 20, 5:35pm

After melting into a puddle to Miguel's set, I feel like I'm floating up and away to ‪@CavemanBand‬'s lightweight guitar riffs. ML ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 20, 5:41pm

.@jinjasafari "But seriously, how do you know us?!" The Internet is a freaky, amazing thing my friends. -- RS ‪#cmj2012 Oct 20, 8:13pm

.@Ratking_ doesn't sound like anyone else. 18-year-old front man Wiki is a beast. The crowd is enthralled... -IG ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 20, 10:14pm

Royal Thunder's bluesy howl totally won over the non-metalheads I brought to St. Vitus. ‪#CMJ‬ -af Oct 21, 1:01am ‪

From Free Energy, a high energy set for a low energy crowd. Sorry, had to do it. ML ‪#CMJ2012‬ Oct 21, 1:39am