Gem and Jam 2020: Day One - Recap
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“There’s something about the power of coming together that breaks up the density of suffering which creates gravity in our lives”.
Such a simple phrase caught in the mere passing of the drum circle, yet one that manages to capture the bare essence of Gem and Jam Festival. Whether you’re falling into the depths of a live painter in action or you’re being hypnotized by Tipper at mainstage, the energy saturating the air is rich with appreciation and acceptance. Collaboration, not competition, is a concept that can be tangibly felt as the people of this community support each other. With such a pure vibration exuding from the very grounds themselves, the weekend has kicked off with open arms and hearts.
Thousands poured into the Tuscon desert for day 1, and found themselves coming together quickly as a collective audience. Our festival coterie was ready to be entranced by the likes of Cofresi, Daily Bread, Dirt Wire, Manic Focus, and of course Dave Tipper. Not only is Gem and Jam a pique winter music festival, but it is paired with Tuscons annual world-renowned Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase. I mean, what would GEM and Jam be without those celestial treasures to harness our energy along the way?
Walking into the grounds for one of the first sets of the weekend made us Coloradans feel right at home. We were greeted to the sounds of Since JulEyE with a special guest performance from the Denver scratch prince, Brisco Jones. After that, Ben Cofresi hit the main stage while the sun was sinking low on the horizon behind him. The massive stage made Cofresi seem pocket-sized at first, until the music started. His sound is enormous for an individual artist and his unique act gave Gem and Jam the first real pop of the day. It was the festival saying hello, welcome, and get ready for a weekend to remember!
Photo by: Ash Daniels (SharedViews Media)
Dirt wire hit the main stage shortly after Cofresi and with a fast paced, heavy bass, uniquely resonating string band, the festival officially became a party. Or as the band prefers to call it, “a psychedelic throw-down”. The night was capped off with a different kind of throw-down. One a little more, mind melting. Tipper created an ambience like only Tipper can create. Many festival goers could be heard talking about their excitement to get “tipped” for the first time. Those individuals, as well as the rest of us, were given a real treat as he scratched his way through the night with that one of a kind, electronic sound you can only find with him.
Day two promises to be equally as exciting so stay tuned for photos and updates and you can still purchase those single day tickets here if you’re anywhere in the Tucson area.