Pitchfork: CMJ: Thursday [Amy Phillips]

Stars photos by Kathryn Yu; Juiced Elfers and Simian Mobile Disco photos by William Kirk; Above: Stars

Stars [Town Hall; 9 p.m.]

Town Hall is a grand 1920s theater located in Times Square that's known for symphonic and cabaret performances. In other words, it's the perfect venue for Stars, who become less of a new wave band and more of a musical theater troupe with every record. At last: Stars on Broadway! Sold out! One night only!

The band was fully aware of the sweet absurdity of the situation. Singer Torquil Campbell mentioned several times how weird and fucked up it was to be playing such a classy joint, and how grateful he was to be doing so. Bouquets of flowers decorated the stage, and Evan Cranley used any downtime in between songs as an opportunity to throw roses into the crowd. The band's affection for its fans was matched by its members' love for one another; at one point, Cranley laid his head on Campbell's shoulder and kissed him, at another, Campbell kneeled at Amy Millan's feet, singing "I love you! I love you!" (Aside: Am I crazy, or do Campbell and Millan strongly resemble Tate Donovan and Juliette Lewis, respectively?)

The venue fit Stars' sound perfectly. The massive ensemble choruses and overwrought melodrama of latest album In Our Bedroom After the War are born for rooms like this, with Campbell and Millan emoting to high heaven-- or at least the last row of the balcony. There was much grasping of chests and falling to knees, enthusiastic gesticulation, and knitting of eyebrows into sincerity-signifying arches. And Campbell sweat so much his shirt was soaked through by the fourth song. (The string of light bulbs wrapped around his chest might have helped.)

Some fans have been turned off by the Broadway tendencies of In Our Bedroom. Back when Stars were just another synth-pop group covering the Smiths, the most notable thing about them was the fact that their male frontperson acted like more of a diva than their female frontperson. (This is still true.) And they were playing for 50 people at the Knitting Factory opening for I Am the World Trade Center. Now they're re-writing "One Day More" and "Do You Hear the People Sing?" for indie rock kids. My only complaint: At the climax of "In Our Bedroom After the War", the curtain at the back of the stage didn't suddenly fly open to reveal a chorus dressed in white robes. Also there were no cannons. Or firecrackers.

All of this isn't to say that Stars have become some slick McMusical or something. Oh no: They're still a rock band, warts and all. Right before the big break in "Midnight Coward", Millan yelled at her bandmates to stop. Confused, they played on for another 30 seconds or so. She kept yelling. Finally they listened, and Millan insisted that "something sounded weird." So they started the song over again.

[For some reason, the Stars show wasn't actually part of the CMJ Music Marathon, meaning that your CMJ badge-- which you may have paid up to $750 for-- wouldn't have gotten you in. Same for the Regina Spektor show at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday, M.I.A. at Terminal 5 on Thursday, and, um, Bruce Springsteen at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday and Thursday.]

Simian Mobile Disco [Music Hall of Williamsburg; 12 a.m.]

James Ford and James Shaw, the men of Simian Mobile Disco, rock a party so hard, they can't help but rock themselves. I don't know how they do it-- all that knob-twiddling while simultaneously jumping up and down, headbanging, and pumping their fists in the air-- but they do, and their energy is infectious. There's just something about two goofy dudes running in a circle around a bank of electronics, surrounded by a kickass light show, that makes you wanna dance.

SMD brought all the hits save for "We Are Your Friends", which was a pity considering that Simon Lord, the vocalist on that song (and "I Believe"), is in town for CMJ with his new group the Black Ghosts. But no all-star collaboration was to be had, just fun and dancing. And that's pretty much it. Fun and dancing. Dancing and fun. Basically non-stop for an hour.

Major props must be given to the Bowery Presents, the company behind the new venue the Music Hall of Williamsburg. This place is pretty much the Platonic ideal of a rock club, or at least it will be, once a bit of wear and tear has softened the sleekness. The space that used to be the awkward Northsix has been transformed into a shiny, high-end joint modeled after the excellent Bowery Ballroom, another Bowery Presents venue. As a short girl, I appreciate the raised platforms to the sides of the stage, as well as the ample balcony with plenty of tables, chairs, and bleacher seats. Plus, even though the show was sold out, there was plenty of room to breathe. And dance and have fun.