One Way to Maximize the Epic Music: Aug. 24-25.

Twenty four hours is a long time to listen to great music. And it’s not enough time to soak up the torrential rain of performances at two superb summer festivals happening at the same time, First City (see cover story, p. 18) and Sand City’s free West End Celebration (see music story, p. 34). But in order to get the most possible, there are some strategies to put into play. Like this. Bonus points for checking out Rhett Miller, The Old 97’s frontman with the high-energy vibe at Fernwood in Big Sur on Thursday.

SATURDAY

11am | Sabahemians Main Stage, West End Celebration | The Santa Cruz world music percussion collective is better than a strong cup of coffee to help get your morning started

1pm | Soft White Sixties Main Stage, West End | “There may be parts with an [Electric Light Orchestra] vibe and another part that’s more modern and dancier like Phoenix,” keyboardist/guitarist Aaron Eisenberg says of their new songs.

1:45pm | Jeffertitti’s Nile Manzanita Stage, First City Festival | The Sol-Cal psych outfit delivers a killer cover of the Stones’ “Play With Fire.”

2:40pm | Blitzen Trapper Redwood Stage, First City | The Portland experimental country-folk band’s Furr was ranked No. 13 on Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2008.

3:30pm | The Black Angels Cypress Stage, First City | Blitzen Trapper ends at 3:30pm so you’ll have to cut out a couple minutes early to catch the heavy psych rockers.

4pm | Mother Hips Main Stage, West End | For 20 years now, the Chico band has gained a dedicated following addicted to its jam-based funky brand of “California Soul.”

5:10pm | Okkervil River Redwood Stage, First City | In 2010, the Austin group backed 13th Floor Elevators’ frontman Roky Erickson comeback record True Love Cast Out of All Evil.

5:55pm | Father John Misty Cypress Stage, First City | The former Fleet Foxes member, J. TIllman, released his debut Fear Fun last year, which proves he’s one of the best and most unique songwriters in the game.

7:45pm | MGMT Redwood Stage, First City | The popular electro-pop psych duo is readying to release its self-titled third record on Sept. 17.

9:15pm | Passion Pit Redwood Stage, First City | One of the biggest synth-pop bands in the world and they recently sold out Madison Square Garden.

SUNDAY

10am | Mike Beck, Casey Frazier and John Tucker Main Stage, West End | Three very different musicians come together for Guitars Not Guns.

1:15pm | Bleached Cypress Stage, First City | Sisters Jennifer and Jessica Clavin rock catchy punk-pop that makes you want to bounce like a superball.

3:30pm | Moonalice Main Stage, West End | In the spirit of their soulmates, The Grateful Dead, the longtime Bay Area jam band’s tunes usually have no end in sight.

4pm | Dr. Dog Redwood Stage, First City | The Philly indie rockers built their sound upon a versatile fusion of influences ranging from Pavement to The Beach Boys.

5:10pm | Devendra Banhart Redwood Stage, First City | The Venezuelan-American freak folkster recently read Joan Miro’s “A Star Caresses the Breasts of a Negress” for the revered Tate Museum’s guided tour.

6:30pm | Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks Manzanita Stage, First City | Avey Tare, Animal Collective co-founder, brings even more LSD weirdness to his well-received side project.

7:10pm | Deerhunter Cypress Stage, First City | Frontman Brandon Cox is unrestrainable as an embodiment of Perry Farrell meets Sid Vicious meets Iggy Pop.

7:45pm | Neko Case Redwood Stage, First City | The New Pornographer singer-songwriter pens some killer dark-humored songs delivered with one of indie rock’s most angelic voices.

9:15pm | Modest Mouse Redwood Stage, First City | The Washington quartet’s live shows always rock with unrivaled unpredictability.