Here is the headliner at this year's CMJ Music Marathon

There’s no better way for New Yorkers to experience the best up-and-coming musical artists than at the annual CMJ Music Marathon. Time and again, the programmers have established their bona fides with an impressive roster of artists that has included recent Grammy winners Arcade Fire and Esperanza Spalding.

The first round of acts scheduled for the 2011 edition,which will be held from Oct. 18- 22, was announced Tuesday.

We’ve parsed that initial list to spotlight some notables.

Talib Kweli
The Brooklyn native and show headliner is the highest-profile act slated for CMJ so far. He’s a gifted, popular hip-hop artist with a conscience. The 35-year-old’s latest album, “Gutter Rainbows,” was released earlier this year.

Handsome Furs
This indie-rock duo — which consists of Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner and his wife, Alexei Perry — put out their third album, “Sound Kapital,” in June.

Class Actress
Brooklyn-based Class Actress specializes in catchy, ’80s influenced electro-pop. Think early Madonna. Naturally, they love their synths.

Eleanor Friedberger
One half of the popular indie-rock duo the Fiery Furnaces, Eleanor Friedberger last month released her first solo album, the wellreviewed “Last Summer.”

Jean Grae
A popular, veteran hip-hop artist — and the daughter of wellknown South African musicians — New Yorker Jean Grae released a free mixtape in June after four years away from recording.

Also playing

Here are some of the other bands announced for CMJ:

Portugal. The Man
CSS
Neon Indian
Wombats
Wild Flag
Metronomy
Zola Jesus
Dum Dum Girls
Art vs. Science
Pharoahe Monch
U.S. Royalty
Datarock
Kermit Ruffins
Parlotones
Kvelertak
Sea of Bees
Kevin Devine