Gallery • 13 Photos

Evelyn Fleming

Spectators watch a concert at Gem and Jam on Feb. 7 at the Pima County Fairgrounds.

Gem and Jam celebrated its 17th anniversary here in Tucson as it lit up the Pima County Fairgrounds for three days straight this past weekend, Feb 6-8. The annual festival once again proved why it has become a staple of Tucson’s music and art scene, blending large-scale production with a distinctly Tucson atmosphere. The music festival had mainstream sponsors like Patron Tequila, Greygoose Vodka, D2 Dispensaries, and their main partner, Beatbox, as well as their headlining artists: CubZee, Tycho, GJones and TroyBoi. The three-day party in the desert held hundreds of campers in various RVs and tents, as well as thousands of locals in attendance. Many attendees treated the festival as a full immersive experience, staying on-site and creating a temporary community that extended well beyond the stages. Not only were dozens of EDM, Techno, and Indie artists and DJs showcased, but hundreds of small businesses offered a wide variety of food and beverages, as well as unique shopping stalls that catered to every interest. Live paintings by local artists and small exhibits dotted the heart of the fairgrounds. Gem & Jam is not only in town in tandem with the Tucson Gem Show, but it is also a Relentless Beats event, which also put on DUSK in mid-November last year.