I'm not sure exactly why it's happening now, but this past week has been crazy as far as concerts are concerned.

The State Theatre alone has hosted The Hold Steady/Drive-By Truckers, the Derek Trucks Band, Blue Öyster Cult and Wolf Parade in the span from Nov. 5 to Nov. 13. In fact, the Theatre is hosting two separate shows simultaneously tomorrow, with Punch Brothers playing in the main theater and an acoustic show hosted by The Asylum in the attic. The bands playing the attic show are The Menzingers, The Tweeds and Rob, Lately and the Tiny Heart Band.

Roustabout! differed from its tradition of hosting only one band yesterday, when both Baby Aspirin and The Safes played at Bar Bleu for this week's edition. The Wolf Parade show tonight is also sponsored by Roustabout! and features special guest The Listening Party. Cherry Darling continues to reliably host shows, including a show featuring The States this past Tuesday at the Brewery. As for the future, Cherry Darling is sponsoring an acoustic appearance by Misfits lead singer Michale Graves at SoZo on Saturday. SoZo will also be hosting a show tomorrow featuring headliner Clarity, as well as one on Nov. 17 with Nightmare of You.

There doesn't appear to be any particular reason why so many shows are happening at the same time, but it only means good news for music fans in State College. The bands the State Theatre has been hosting are genuinely a big deal. Everybody knows Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," critics love The Hold Steady and Drive-By Truckers, and Derek Trucks is the lead guitarist from The Allman Brothers Band. And to see why Wolf Parade is a big deal, read reporter Adam Clair's analysis of the process that went into the band's booking at the Theatre.

-- Andy