As the calendar creeps towards May outlooks start to change for the musically-inclined party people in the Mile High. A long winter of enduring coat checks, inconvenient layers, and often cramped indoor venues gives way to the eager anticipation of open air, tiered bleachers, and surreal setting of the best outdoor venue in the nation. While last weekend’s 4/20 shows were a nice warmup, the ampitheater doesn’t truly blossom until the summer.

Alas, Red Rocks season is so close you can shut your eyes and practically feel that sensational breeze — one that seems to gently pass through the monoliths at precisely the right moments. It’s just one element of an often indescribable concert experience, and if it’s something you haven’t indulged in yet, or very often, start making plans now: the calendar is packed with some of the most in-demand and highly regarded acts of a generation.

You see, Red Rocks FOMO is powerful beast that must be tamed early, with precision and careful thought, or risk facing massive dilemmas that can cost you a one-of-a-kind experience or big chunks of cash flow on the secondary ticket market. With the massive influx of people new to the Colorado and a salivating lineup, this Red Rocks concert season is shaping up to be laden with sell outs. The early birds are already at work, snatching up every ticket for Ellie Goulding, Bassnectar, Lana del Rey, and Nine Inch Nails.

So take a look at the chronological list of shows below: they’re the ones not yet sold out but have a high likelihood of doing so. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. If anything catches your eye, better to control your destiny now than be at the mercy of scalpers.

GRAMATIK – SATURDAY, MAY 17

Since captivating the crowd on the final day of Global Dance Festival 2013 with his sample-laden productions and bluesy guitar riffs, the Slovenian-native and Brooklyn-based producer dropped a long-delayed but critically acclaimed 15-track LP in January.

Considering the accessibility of Gramatik’s music (it’s all free), deep ties to Pretty Lights Music, a sold-out Fillmore show in November 2012, and outspoken affinity for Colorado’s legal herb, many ragers have already penciled in this show as their first pilgrimage to Morrison of the season. Get those legs in summer concert shape with an evening of Gramatik vibes. You’ll find it impossible not to move.

Sellout probability: 90%

 

SKRILLEX – FRIDAY JUNE 20, SATURDAY JUNE 21

The womp-master returns to Red Rocks for the first time since his sold-out Mothership Tour in 2012, and with new material and a fresh perceptive after a touring hiatus last year, he’s sure to deliver a spectacle of outrageous bass and orchestral melodies. Like his aggressive style or not, there’s no denying the energy it creates in a live setting with the master creating chaos in the middle of a futuristic spaceship. Fireworks (literally and figuratively) are sure to ensue over his two-night stay.

Sellout probability: 90%

 

WIDESPREAD PANIC – FRIDAY JUNE 27, SATURDAY JUNE 28, SUNDAY JUNE 29

The current record holders for consecutive Red Rocks sell-outs will almost certainly add three more to their impressive tally at the end of June. Prefer live instruments over button mashing? The jam-band, which fuses elements of rock, folk and blues, has built a steady following over the past two decades around the strength of their live performances.

Selllout probability: 100%

 

HARD RED ROCKS W/ NERO, DILLON FRANCIS – THURSDAY, JULY 31

Gary Richards is taking event production to new levels with his HARD brand, and after selling out the inaugural iteration at Red Rocks last year a repeat is almost a certainty. Electro and dub powerhouse Nero craft lush and cinematic soundscapes that are often accompanied by live vocals, and after a light touring schedule over the last few years many will be clamoring to see the duo live. Moombahton maven Dillon Francis and breakout British act Rudimental round out the eye-catching lineup.

Sellout probability: 95%

 

CHROMEO/CUT COPY – TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

In what top-to-bottom is the most talented billing of the summer, this show would likely be sold out already if not for its Tuesday scheduling. Flume just sold out the Gothic Theater and is one of the hottest up-and-coming producers, Duke Dumont is a rising star thanks to silky smooth house beats, Chromeo brings one of the best dance parties on the planet, and Cut Copy have been headlining the festival circuit ever since their breakout 2008 album In Ghost Colours. This show is worthy of calling in the next day sick.

Sellout probability: 90%

 

PRETTY LIGHTS – FRIDAY AUGUST 8, SATURDAY AUGUST 9

Beloved homegrown producer Pretty Lights announced last week he’s brining his electro hip-hop soul to Red Rocks for another two-night stay, this time with his full band and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in tow. For your chance to see one of the greatest contemporary visual-and-sonic live experiences, you’ll need to act quickly. Hopefully you’re reading this before tickets go on sale Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m. They won’t last more than a few hours.

Sellout probability: 100%

 

STS9 – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6

The Colorado jamtronica favorites return for another back-to-back booking despite the somewhat mysterious departure of founding member and bassist David Murphy earlier this year. That hasn’t slowed ticket sales — a limited allotment of $50 two-day passes are already history. Always attracting top support and a killer light show, and night with the tribe is something every live music fan must experience.

Sellout probability: 100%

 

BIG GIGANTIC (ROWDYTOWN III) – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27

For the last two years, Boulder-product Big Gigantic has held down the final spot on the Red Rocks calendar, selling out the first two iterations of Rowdytown thanks to their jazzy blend of live saxophone and jaw-dropping beats. This year, Big G doubles the fun with two nights of debauchery, ensuring Rowdytown III will be some of the groups most memorable shows to date — and a fitting way to close out the summer concert season.

Sellout probability: 95%