We’ve made it to 2023 y’all! Which means Gem & Jam is just around the disco ball, to the left of the speaker, by the dolphin totem. The lineup for the desert festival’s 15th edition is permeating with tastemaker talent that will activate all of those crystals, gems, and jams. With headliners like The String Cheese Incident, The Floozies, LSDream, and Emancipator among many more funkadelic, basstastic, and worldly inspired artists set to take over the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, AZ (plus those surprise additions) you may find yourself getting lost in the lineup sauce before even setting foot onto the desert dance floor. We have decided to help you out with our top 10 picks for you to see at this year’s Gem & Jam Festival. Read on below to see what we recommend!
dirtwire
If your question is which artist encompasses the most of the different types of genres you will hear at Gem & Jam, dirtwire is pretty close. Inspired by sounds and instruments from around the world and the renowned Electric Forest spirit, the duo puts out a different set just about every time. Their latest EP, Ghostcatcher, is a perfect example of the intricate layering, beautiful melodies, and playful undertones of bluegrass and psychedelic electro that has become synonymous with dirtwire. We will not be missing them and you shouldn’t either.
Marvel Years
If you’re looking for vibey bass, uplifting melodies, and badass guitar solos, then Marvel Years is where you need to be. His most recent EP, Voyage Ahead Pt. 1, is a perfect listening party to dip your toe into if you’re wanting to see what kind of a funky bass party he throws down. He’s got this super rowdy synth distortion and bouncy rhythms that you can’t help but have a stinky cheese bass face the entire set. If you see us hopping and buzzing around, you’re in the right place. Come dance with us!
Ravenscoon
Ravenscoon has quickly become a favorite producer in the bass music scene and the passion that comes through each track has you hooked from the first second. His discography is a melding of hip-hop, death metal, punk rock and just about every sub genre of EDM such as dubstep, house, psytrance, and drum and bass. Some of our top favorites that instantly became ear worms are deep bass bender “Mind” and dark drum and bass twister “Never Heard of Ya”. He will definitely scratch that EDM itch and throw more at you than you thought you can handle. But trust us, you can.
The Funk Hunters
The Funk Hunters has easily been one of our must see’s since they came out with “Hands Up (Raise Your Fists)” in 2018. The duo have infused a progressive electronica sound with their deep love for old school funk, hip-hop, and soul. Their punchy bass and synths combined with a groovy beats from songs like “Warn Ya” and “Get Up N Go” with our favorite electro bluegrass band Moontricks, will definitely have you kicking up some dust and getting down with your bad self.
Dogs in a Pile
What makes Gem & Jam special is that they include a variety of music, including highly talented jam artists. Dogs in a Pile, who will be playing two sets, will take you on a journey through the roots of American music, blending psychedelia, jazz, funk, rock and roll and anything else they can improv. With their sets described as, “listening to a single moving organism,” tracks like “Inchworm” and their latest “Stranger” will definitely have you seeing through kaleidoscope glasses.
KR3TURE
Gem & Jam is the place to explore, let yourself be free, and discover that desert magic. KR3TURE is an artist that has this unique blending of the EDM soundscape and live instruments that will deliver just that. He can switch between light hearted grooves like his remix of Equanimous, Oliwa, Julietta‘s “Alive” to an bouncing bluegrass house amalgamation, “Shadows” with Siren & Seer, Saqi, and Diamonde. When you’re looking for a easy and breezy vibe, KR3TURE is the ultimate cultivator.
Justin Jay
Now you know we gotta shout out one of our favorite house DJ’s. Justin Jay has this bright energy and blends that old school funk and r&b vibe with a refreshing bass house lens that will keep you in a sunny daze. We just want to watch that gorgeous head of hair bounce around on the decks while we get down some of the tastiest of grooves. Whether it’s producing music in his bathroom, or throwing down on the house stage, we guarantee you have a smile as big as his. Justin Jay is always a weekend highlight and we hope to meet you under the disco ball.
Pixie and the Partygrass Boys
Pixie and the Partygrass Boys are this bluegrass group with grassroots approach to the genre makes us feel like we are being wrapped in a warm, loving energy. With tracks like “Home” and the insanely beautiful “Paint You a Face”, we’re excited to dive into a different listening experience. The way the lead vocals, violin, and guitars come together into a fruition of beautiful music. So find a soft patch of grass, rest your dancing shoes, and get lost in their flow.
Balkan Bump
Ethnomusicologist-turned-funk-trumpeter, Balkan Bump knows how to merge soundscapes and instruments that you would at first think couldn’t possibly pair together. His respect for the world’s music and love affair for funky electro creates this incredibly unique combination that will have you grooving the whole set. With tracks like “Follow Me” and “Home Again”, you won’t be able to help but fall in love with every single little detail.
Moon Junkies
A big part of Gem & Jam is supporting the local Tucson and overall Arizona scene. The Opal Stage is once again packed with talent that we cannot wait to return to see and discover for the first time. One duo that we couldn’t help shake our ass and cut some shapes to was Moon Junkies. To give you an idea of what you’re in for, we will pull this from their SoundCloud page, “Two space monkeys twisting knobs and pushing buttons for their own and now your own amusement”.
Of course, there are so many more artists to see, including the incredible headliners, so let yourself wander and get lost in the desert. At least, just the fairgrounds anyway. Tickets and camping options are still available but will be jumping up a price tier so snag yours before they’re completely gone!
Connect with Gem & Jam:
https://www.facebook.com/gemandjam
https://twitter.com/GemandJamFest
https://www.instagram.com/gemandjamfestival
https://gemandjamfestival.com
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