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Start looking into advanced ticket prices and marking your calendar now. Local and otherwise, 2014 is loaded with great shows and bands to watch blow up the Lawrence scene. But don’t take my word for it. Let some of your favorite local musicians weigh in on the top three area shows they’re most excited to attend in 2014:

Haunt Ananta

Mammoth Life/Middle of the Map Fest 2014/April 4-6/$45

These Lawrencians turned San Franciscan make up female-fronted indie rock quartet known for the dreamiest of pop. Having moved to California in 2011, they adopted a sunny, West Coast vibe playing up subjects of youth, love and adventure in songs on the latest self-titled album released in the summer of 2013. The album showcases the remarkable lead vocals of Kix Mead along with layers of dreamy pop rock-alternative sounds to put all listeners at complete ease. The band will be playing at Kansas City’s Middle of the Map Fest in April.

Mobb Deep/Granada/April 29/$20

This Queensbridge hip-hop duo has appeared on records that have sold more than 40 million copies. One of the most successful rap duos, Mobb Deep is known to release dark, gritty anthems that speak on their surroundings and lifestyle such as powerful tracks “Survival of the Fittest” and “Quiet Storm.” They briefly disbanded in 2012 announcing an indefinite hiatus via Twitter, but have seem to set their differences aside to celebrate their 20th anniversary on tour.

Scott Stapp/Granada/March 25/$20

Lead Creed singer, Scott Stapp released his debut album Proof of Life in November, the single “Slow Suicide” an autobiographical song that Stapp says may actually be a toned down version of his actual life story. Drawing on real-life experiences, this entire emotionally charged rock album is a self-portrait that chronicles his life journey, starting with his long relationship with Creed.

Middle Twin

St. Vincent/Liberty Hall/March 31/$25-$30

Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, is touring to support newest self-titled album to be released in February, just one month before she graces the stage at Liberty Hall with her new lavender-gray hairdo. St. Vincent is a one-woman band that mixes eclectic pop ballad sounds with electric guitar and hints of jazz. Strange Mercy, her 2011 album, was met with great acclaim, fueled with emotional content and a technological purge. She claims her newest album came from the desire to make a pop record that one could play at a funeral.

Local Natives/Granada/April 25/$23

This psych-rock band based in Los Angeles found success immediately following their first album of incredible songwriting and three-part harmonies. Their second album, “Hummingbird,” was included in iTunes’ 2013 best of albums of the year. After the release of “Gorilla Manor,” their first album in 2011, vocalist Kelcey Ayer’s mother passed away in the summer of 2012. Pouring unguarded emotion into beautifully swelling Hummingbird track “Columbia,” Ayer addresses his loss with this line: “If you never felt all of my love, I pray now you do.”

Arcade Fire/Starlight Theatre/April 26/$30.50-$60.50

Montreal’s Arcade Fire released one of indie rock’s “monstrously anticipated” albums this year says Pitchfork. “Reflektor,” a two-record, 75-minute set of 13 songs, received a collection of high praises for its theatrical ambition and frantic instrumentation. The title track is a seven-minute-long synthy dance track with a Caribbean rhythmic undertone (singer Régine Chassagne is of Haitian descent). David Bowie, one of Arcade Fire’s biggest fans, makes a vocal appearance on the track. The band will stop on its current tour at Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre in April.

Rolf Petermann, Whatever Forever

Dr. Dog/Liberty Hall/March 10/$21.50

Strongly influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Velvet Underground, indie pop Dr. Dog is committed to cultivating a stripped-down live form of expression. The six-member band devoted to the barebacks aesthetic are touring to support recent seventh full-length album “B-Room.” This album was recorded in a studio (and living quarters) built by the members in an abandoned hometown silversmith factory — the space the album was named after. It reflects the organic sound of the six playing together in a room, leaving overdubbing and layering seen in other works in the past.

St. Vincent/Liberty Hall/March 31/$25-$30

iheartlocalmusic’s SXSW Fest/Jackpot/Feb. 21-22/$5

Based on the week-long Austin festival, I Heart Local Music puts together a two-day extravaganza of some of the best local rock, hip-hop, and pop in the area. The show serves as a benefit to help talented locals make their way to the actual SXSW festival, a rite of passage that puts many bands on the map every year. This coming year’s lineup includes Josh Berwanger Band, CS Luxem, The Sluts, Psychic Heat and more.

DJ GTRAIN

Air Dubai/Granada/March 2/$12

This six-piece band from Denver refuses to fit any mold, creating fresh, exciting sounds with combinations of soul, hip-hop, electronic and rock on every track. Their 2013 five-song “Warning” EP has garnered the attention of fans interested to hear more from this alternative hip-hop outfit known to put on high-energy, lively shows. They’ve shared the stage with the stage with OneRepublic, 3Oh!3, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Lupe Fiasco and AWOLNATION.

Paper Diamond, Loudpvck and Branchez/Granada/March 6/$16

Pushing the boundaries of an EDM show, Colorado-based producer under the name of Paper Diamond is bring new material, light-shows collaborations and energy on this 2014 tour with many other artists accompanying him. Blending sweet vocals, fresh beats and spacey synthesizers, Paper Diamond masterfully highlights the mainstream and subculture sounds.

Mobb Deep/Granada/April 29/$20

OILS

Middle of the Map Fest 2014/April 4-6/$45 (3-day pass)

This year’s Music Fest will take place around Westport and will feature more than 100 local,
national, international talent, including Grizzly Bear, The Joy Formidable, Deerhoof, Divine Fits, Tennis and many more.

Forrester

Local Natives / Granada / April 25th / $23

The World is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die/Jackpot/Jan. 24

Self-described as “atmospheric emo” eight-piece indie rock band, the mouthful of a band name is doing them justice. Their latest, “Whenever, If Ever,” is an emotionally rigid album, spilling their guts on many life matters with passionate songwriting and unpredictable music, earning themselves comparisons to Arcade Fire. The album cover shows a kid jumping off a cliff into the unknown in a carefree, reckless manner, the same attitude represented in their work.

The next Ebony Tusks show (yet to be determined)

Martinez Hilliard of Cowboy Indian Bear has his own solo rap side project, providing seamless poetic flow, hype and backdrops of synthesizers. Unlike CIB with ethereal harmonies, Ebony Tusks’s lyrics harness a harsh, uncensored spoken word poetry influences.

DJ Kimbarely Legal

SUNU’s Mardi Gras Celebration/Jazzhaus/March 1

Always providing the crazy Mardi Gras madness, SUNU usually hosts a parade and masquerade party with drums, horns, hula-hoopers, dancers and anything else that might bring some mojo into the festivities. SUNU is a Lawrence-based band that formed in 2007 and mixes funk, jazz and afrobeat influences.

Feel Good/Bottleneck/recurring dance party

This regular dance party Thursdays at the Bottleneck brings together a huge variety of DJs.

MartyParty with Joker/Bottleneck/Feb. 20/$15

EDM producer MartyParty, born and raised in South Africa, has release six original albums and has toured for seven years playing hip-hop, reggae, dancehall, dubstep and trap. He started producing a new take on electronic in 2005, incorporating more storytelling, diverse beats and musicality. This crossing over of mainstream genres with rich melodic layering has evolved into a new form of music MartyParty refers to as “purple music.”

LOCAL BANDS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

Tanner Spreer, Pyschic Heat

“As far as local acts I’d say I’m really looking forward to the Whatever Forever crew, especially CS Luxem. Sometimes there are qualities about musicians beyond their sound that can be really inspiring. I think Chris Luxem and the gang represent that to a tee. Just really great down-to-earth dudes who can bring the good vibes to Lawrence. Plus his voice is made of pure honey.”

“The Sluts released a new album late 2013 that was killer diller. Really impressed with the jams those fellas can do with just two people. Looking forward to seeing what they can create in 2014.”

“The Ovaries-eez totally came out of nowhere with this amazing three-part harmony girl power trio stripped down, fun time, party excellence. It’s absolutely entrancing what they do, and maybe don’t overdo. They also have a song about Patrick Swayze that get’s me Swayze crazy all over again. Definitely looking forward to seeing their 2014 plans.”