Gem & Jam is on the horizon and there are some sensational artists on the lineup you simply need to catch at this year’s edition!
Gem & Jam is returning to Tuscon, AZ for its 14th edition this year, making it one of the longest-running festivals in Arizona. The three-day festival will once again take place at the Pima County Fairgrounds on February 4-6, featuring more than 90 artists, live painters, and gem vendors from around the world.
The Gem & Jam lineup always offers a variety of sounds to explore from artists across the genre spectrum. Whether you’re a fan of jam bands, bass music, house grooves, or even something more melodic this festival features a genre for every taste. While artists on the top of the bill like Claude VonStroke, Liquid Stranger, Shpongle, and Lotus are sure to throw down, there are plenty more to explore as well. Read on for some gems who have stuck out on the lineup this year!
Be sure to grab your tickets today, via SeeTickets.us, and don’t just stop here be sure to listen to our curated playlist to really get your energy up!
Five Artists to Catch at Gem & Jam Festival 2022
STS9
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The Sound Tribe Sector 9, otherwise known as STS9, is an electronic band blending together elements of rock, hip-hop, funk, jazz, and even drum and bass. Since 1998, STS9 has released 11 albums, toured all over the world with recent appearances as headliners for festivals like Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Suwanee Hulaween, and even Gem and Jam in 2018!
Not only does STS9 rock out when they perform they take a vested interest in their communities. Throughout the course of their career, they have paired with non-profit organizations like Conscious Alliance, bringing food drives to all their tour stops. They raised money for Hurricane Katrina Relief and ran a carbon offset campaign to offset their carbon emissions during their tour. STS9 attributes its community activism to its friends and fans who are constantly inspiring them.
At an STS9 set, you’ll find vibey electronic sounds mixed with talented musicians who really know their way around a music instrument. Their latest album, The Universe Inside, showcases the diversity of their sound by fluidly integrating disco styles. This set will be all the hype, you won’t want to miss it.
SunSquabi
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This trio of funk aficionados hail from Boulder, Colorado, and play some of the most mind-melting combinations of jazz, electronica, and dubstep. Their debut in 2011 included live drums, keyboard, guitar, bass, and a good amount of production. After a few independent EP’s they caught the attention of Detroit’s All Good Records. The label is run by GRiZ and helped SunSquabi release their debut album, Odyssey, in 2016.
SunSquabi’s album ended up being just the breakout they needed. Their popularity exploded and they began a national tour appearing at festivals like Okeechobee, Elements, and Electric Forest. Known for some incredibly funky tracks – if you’re a fan of funk, bass, and getting down to some dirty grooves this is the set for you.
Daily Bread
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Hailing from the East side of Atlanta, Daily Bread strives to incorporate creative and unique samples into his tracks. His unique sound garnered him the attention of the festival scene and he went from just playing Sonic Bloom to hosting a Bread and Breakfast event for the past two years. He has long considered Denver his second home and attributes that feeling to the incredible electronic-hip-hop artists that have come from there as well as the thriving music scene.
Seeing Daily Bread perform always leads to memories that stand out, and his upcoming set at Gem & Jam is sure to continue on with that trend. His energy and the samples he uses are familiar while bringing in layers you wouldn’t expect. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
Bingo Bango
Nathan DeGour, more affectionately known as Bingo Bango, is a California native who began his journey into music while playing in a junior high school band. Throughout high school he dabbled in various bands, playing bass and guitar, and was even the vocalist in a Screamo band. His passion for music really began to flourish when he found festivals and electronic music. The culture of the scene is what really inspired him, he knew he wanted to be around music all the time which lead him to Phoenix, AZ.
Since moving to Arizona, Bingo Bango has become heavily involved with local music collective, idgaFNK making regular appearances at their micro festivals. He’s drawn to the combination of songs that feel familiar blended with modern tracks and heavy basslines. At this set, you’ll hear songs you know all the words to smashed together with headbanging tracks. Although Bingo Bango is still working on his production skills, his understanding of what sound combinations work in unexpected ways will put him on the map.
The Sponges
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The Sponges is made up of two dynamic minds, Ryan Slepin and Nik Eaton. These South Florida-based artists were friends who simply discovered their passion for music together and it was off to the races ever since. Their signature sound that infuses ’70s funk with heavy bass and classic house beats brought them to the top of the Beatport charts multiple times and they’re only going to get bigger.
While The Sponges own releases have stood tall, they also garnered the attention of Kyle Watson and together they created The Ratchet Express to further deepen their discography. Additionally, they have been praised by big hitters in the scene such as Ardalan, Taiki Nulight, and more. Their upbeat and groovy tracks will have you tearing up the dance floor. Be sure to listen to all their tracks below and don’t sleep on this set if you want to boogie!
