Spoiler alert: For bands, spring and summer are often the busiest times of the year.
Fortunately for those who enjoy live music, the past two-and-a-half months have been packed with one weekend of must-see performances after the next. Looking ahead on the calendar, the rest of the season looks to be just as bountiful.
The next 72 hours are no exception.
Here are five reasons the Lehigh Valley is the place to be this weekend for live, local music:
Sweet release: Lehigh Valley-based power pop group Summer Scouts and alternative country singer-songwriter Paul Knakk tonight will celebrate the release of their respective albums Furthest Reach and Rebel With a Cause. The former contains the singles "Vessel" and "Olympic White"; the latter features the song "Boots."
Summer Scouts -- who will be joined by the bands Explorers, High Tides and Sing, Birds of Prey -- will perform at The Alternative Gallery in Allentown. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost is $6.
Knakk will headline the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks' Fowler Blast Furnace Room in Bethlehem, with support from opening acts Erin Kelly and Kendal Conrad. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
Easton rocks: Easton's own Roi and the Secret People and Acoustic Kitty Project team up Saturday night at Rivals Sports Bar & Restaurant for what is being billed as their "Summer Blowout Show." Double-down on the fun with this double-header of original music sure to blow your hair back. Show time is 7 p.m.. Free admission.
After wrapping up at Rivals, you can walk over to Pearly Baker's Alehouse to watch Acoustic Bite Trio. Or head up Northampton Street and stop in Porters' Pub for Old Fashioned High, featuring Jake Heck and Rian Carr.
The tide is high: Hailing from the Big Apple, instrumental surf rockers Coffin Daggers are bound to scare up a good time Saturday at The Alternative Gallery. Get there early to catch Bethlehem's Holy Toast, Surf's Up and John Kelsey. Doors open at 7 p.m. Six bucks will get you inside.
Birthday bash: Riegelsville is turning 100 and to celebrate its anniversary, a handful of area musicians are coming together for an afternoon of performances. Starting at noon, Saturday's festivities will feature Dave Fry, Alex Radus Trio, Soul Folks, Evan Miklosey and Andy Killcoyne and Friends.
Back to back (to back): Bethlehem's The Funhouse will host three nights of original music. Reggae group Trouble City All-Stars kick things off Friday night, followed by The Phoenix Bridge on Saturday and Royer and Snow on Sunday.
ArtsQuest will also host three straight days worth of live bands, including Scranton-based pop-rock quartet Black Tie Stereo on Saturday, on the outdoor TD Community Stage.