At the New Zealand at CMJ showcase Wednesday afternoon at the Delancey, the Brunettes and Cut Off Your Hands played very different but equally engaging mini-sets. The Brunettes recreated the big sound of their latest album, Structure and Cosmetics, with a fittingly large group of performers and instruments; singer Heather Mansfield did triple duty on glockenspiel, clarinet and her charming vocals. The only place more packed than the stage was the room itself, which was packed with people hoping to catch the band outside of the already sold-out Sub Pop showcase. Live, the Brunettes sounded more muscular and rhythmic; previously ethereal Structure and Cosmetics songs like “Her Hairagami Set” actually rocked a bit. However, the witty, romantic banter between Mansfield and Jonathan Bree — which makes up the heart of most Brunettes songs — was just as winning as ever, especially on “If You Were an Alien.”

After the Brunettes’ show, most of the crowd stayed, but a clearing opened in front of the stage. This turned out to be a good thing, since Cut Off Your Hands’ singer, Nick, claimed that territory as his own — along with the rafters, which he swung from and shimmied across like a well-coiffed monkey. Part posing pretty boy and part spazzy geek, he led the rest of the Hands through a set of snappy, post-punky pop tunes that Maximo Park wish they had written. The band crammed their five-song set full of boyish harmonies and whip-smart guitars, both of which rang especially clear on “Expectations.” Offering a ton of energy along with just enough showmanship to add some spark to the band’s songs, this was a really fun introduction to one of the Zed’s most entertaining young bands.