Gem and Jam has always been one of my favorite music festivals as it combines many of my favorite things, gemstones, jam bands, and camping. The lineup this year is pretty lit, but the environment of the festival is what keeps me coming back. With ample vendors selling gemstones through the festival grounds, and the Tucson Gem Show going on across the city there are ample opportunities to come home with a suitcase that could be mistaken for a treasure chest. I always make a point to head into the city and check out the gem show, sadly this year the shuttles won’t be operating.
Back to the lineup, this year we’re getting plenty of jam but also see a wide range of artists performing a wide range of genres. On Friday, I’m gearing up to see Wreckno, who’s musical career has been on nothing but an upward tragectory this past year. Gaining traction with his collaboration with Griz called ‘Medusa’ and following up with his EP ‘ROYGBIV’ and most recently dropping ‘Gymnastics’ with Ruvlo, Wreckno has been catching the world by its ears. His shows are nothing but a safe place and a lot of bass, so don’t be shy to glam out and come with some glitter on your face, even if you’ve never worn any before. Shine bright, jam out and be comfortable in your skin as Friday night continues with Daily Bread, Random Rab, and Rising Appalachia and Tree Gaud. I’m really looking forward to Liquid Stranger and some spaghetti time. If you’ve never had a chance to boil your bodies into a hot pot of liquid stranger and wiggle and jiggle to this extra wobbly bass then your soul must not yet be filled. Eat up, the spaghetti is the best in the world.
Saturday things get weird, bouncy, and ready to take the house party into the outdoors with Claude Vonstroke headlining the night. As captain of DirtyBird the worlds wildest house label Claude always brings a vibe into the universe. I’m down to bounce, will you bounce with me? Also headlining is Shpongle, a set I’ve long been waiting to see. Shpongle has a sound that is the essence of jam channeling energy from all of the ages his songs tend to blend effortlessly to one another with crazy melodic progressions, technical countrol of the sound deck. He’s a journey to say the least, get ready for some soul surfing. Rounding our Saturday are Opiuo, Dirtwire and Maddy O’neal.
Sunday is funday and that means an extra heaping dose of Sound Tribe Sector 9. STS9 blends the border between jam, funk, hynotica, dance-rock, and sprinkled with elements of pop. Their live band is extra jammy and each set is unique making for a wild time where the only thing to can expect is a smile across your face and the unexpected. The sponges are another must-see set, their energy has a bit of a rougher side to it. You could say, they really show the brillo pad side at times, delivering elements of anger, scrubbing rythems, and funk from the back of the fridge. Sunday also features NotLö, Lou Lou, and Sunsquabi.
Be sure to pack your pajammies becuase the days are warm but the nights can send shivers down your spine.