Diamonds Within the Tough: Get to Know the Hidden Gems of the 2022 Gem & Jam Music Pageant – EDM.com
Beneath the swaying palm bushes of Tucson, Arizona, Gem & Jam Music Pageant shined by its 14th anniversary the primary weekend of February.
The music, visible arts, and gem and mineral pageant has been recognized to be a heat escape from a lot of the nation’s frigid winter climate, however over 6,000 attendees endured an uncommon desert storm that despatched chilling temps and blistering winds for the primary two days. Fortunately, every day introduced over 14 hours of dwell music, conscious workshops, and sparkly gems to maintain attendees busy and bustling.
Whereas headlining units by Lotus, Liquid Stranger, Claude VonStroke, STS9 and extra represented Gem & Jam’s timeless 14-carat diamonds, the pageant additionally booked many promising, unheralded artists to rock its levels.
Get to know the “hidden gems” of Gem & Jam 2022.
Vincent Antone
Gemstone: Quartz
Amplifies power, balances and revitalizes bodily, psychological, emotional, and religious methods, harmonizes the physique.
When you’re not already listening to Vincent Antone, you most likely must be. Having made his Gem & Jam debut, this Austin-based producer took over not one, however two of the pageant’s levels.
Attendees have been first launched to the Fairly Lights-influenced artist with a Saturday sundown DJ set on the Opal Stage—and man, was it funky. Soulful hip-hop beats resonated from the stage as James Brown’s “I Obtained You (I Really feel Good)” bought an digital makeover and Daft Punk’s “More durable, Higher, Quicker, Stronger” flung headlong into a cool bass drip.
“This pageant is superb,” Antone stated. “The power is palpable, the surroundings is unbelievable, and the individuals are stunning. So pleased to be part of it!”
Sunday night had powerful efficiency conflicts for festival-goers, so if you happen to weren’t over on the Quartz stage, you have been lacking out. Antone’s hourlong dwell set on Sunday night showcased his versatility and jamband affect for what can be top-of-the-line units of the weekend. Joined by powerhouse drummer Jose Gutierrez, Antone cycled by future-funk and bass tracks, together with his just lately launched “The Good Stuff,” breaking out his electrical guitar to pepper an exciting spice to the bass grooves.
The Sponges
Gemstone: Rainbow Bismuth
Stimulates power and vitality, adaptation and transformation, purification, promotes confidence and happiness.
The Sponges carry out at Gem & Jam Music Pageant 2022.
Time to replace your playlists… The Sponges are coming to put down some funky home beats for you.
Whereas Sunday night time noticed SunSquabi over on the primary Emerald Stage, a full-on occasion was happening over on the Quartz Stage. The Sponges gathered a big crowd for what can be top-of-the-line events of the weekend, throwing down their signature fusion of 70s funk, acid-inspired bass, and cheeky sampling into their hourlong set.
Sprinkles of the enduring MJ chorus “mama-say-mama-sa-mama-coosa” rained down as lots of individuals flooded the stage space to get right down to The Sponges’ signature model of disco-inspired home music. And what can be a new-age, electro-funk set with out some James Brown? Swirling bass radiated from the stage when the duo dropped an intoxicating remix of Brown’s “Papa’s Obtained A Model New Bag,” however not lengthy earlier than the group broke out right into a full-fledged breakdancing occasion for the duo’s anthemic observe “Jerry Mind.”
SLiCK FLOYD
Gemstone: Amethyst
Supply of (purple) energy, enlightenment, readability, balanced mindset, traditional but timeless.
SLiCK FLOYD performs at Gem & Jam Music Pageant 2022
For many who have been ready all weekend for Claude VonStroke’s headlining efficiency, SLiCK FLOYD dosed the Saturday crowd with a hearty mid-day home music set over on the Opal Stage.
The Phoenix-based producer returned to Gem & Jam for his second look after his 2020 debut to put down all of the “boots and cats.” Danceable remixes of music by Maine, Daft Punk, The Weeknd, and extra all bought rinsed with FLOYD’s personal distinctive aptitude, making him a particular “hidden gem” efficiency of the weekend.
Tripp St.
Gemstone: Fluorite
Constructive power, selling peace of thoughts, interchangeable power move, focus, fact, self-confidence, regeneration of the physique, thoughts, and soul.
A big crowd gathers for Tripp St.’s set at Gem & Jam Music Pageant 2022.
It was a blustery first night time of Gem & Jam, however Tripp St. supplied followers refuge within the pageant’s indoor Onyx Stage. His 75-minute set gave method for his freeform bass and mind-bending synths.
Whereas others thought Lab Group’s set was the spotlight of Friday night time’s bass, Tripp St. gave them a run for his or her cash by his bouncy rhythms and natural hip-hop sampling. His 2021 anthem “Livin” earned a respectful nod from the group, setting the Onyx stage up in excessive spirits for remainder of the weekend.
Amp Dwell
Gemstone: Sodalite
Rational thought and logic, objectivity, verbalization of emotions, self-acceptance.
Amp Dwell performs at Gem & Jam Music Pageant 2022
Because of Amp Dwell, Gem & Jam acquired a wholesome dose of hip-hop-inspired dance music over on the Quartz Stage Sunday night time.
Amp Dwell is chill and reserved, however his sound is something however. Accompanied onstage by his drummer, he turned up with large throwdowns of music by The Grouch, Eligh, Home of Ache, and even inspiring a singalong crowd chant for “The Energy Of The Folks.”
Keep updated and discover out extra about Gem & Jam here.