Megacity Music Marathon: Sept. 10.

Music Week Columbus: Sept. 14-16.

Independents' Day: Sept. 17.

That's three music festivals showcasing more than 30 bands apiece in the span of eight days. We all love local music festivals (right?), but this crammed calendar begs the question: Is it too much of a good thing?

Organizers of Independents' Day, Music Week Columbus (MWC) and Megacity Music Marathon say no, arguing that the three festivals complement each other. And it's true, in that each one offers something different. But each also has some sort of stake in one of the other fests, so it makes sense that they all come across as chummy.

To wit: Megacity takes place at Woodlands Tavern, which is also a sponsor of Independents' Day. (There's even a "Woodlands Stage" at ID). Kobo sponsors ID. Kobo co-owner Jacob Wooten is "captain" of Independents' Day this year and booked some of the bands. Wooten also is the driving force behind Music Week Columbus, which Kobo will host, and he booked many of Music Week Columbus's bands with Central City Recording's Andy Dodson, who's also an Independents' Day organizer and sponsor (through Central City). And Music Week Columbus is "presented by CD101@102.5," which is also an Independents' Day sponsor.

Got that?

Megacity head honcho Bob Miller, who's the Pabst Blue Ribbon marketing manager in Columbus, said he has booked a large, music-related event on the second Saturday in September for almost 10 years, starting with the Slum-B-Q and then the Pabst Blue Rendezvous. When Independents' Day made its September debut in 2008, he called Wonderland director and Independents' Day founder Adam Brouillette to make sure everything was copasetic, and they both agreed that neither event takes away from the other.

Still, while Miller said there's "no weirdness" and he's "super supportive" of Independents' Day and Music Week Columbus, he admits the last couple weeks of summer are getting a bit crowded with music festivals, and he's considering moving Megacity to the spring next year-well before Comfest, the Parking Lot Blowout and other summer events kick into full gear.

Chances are, unless you've got a completely open September calendar, you probably won't make it to three music festivals in a week. So to aid you in making some informed decisions, here's a breakdown of what each event offers. And if you do make it to all three, oh valiant one, pace yourself.

It's a party, man.