Gem and Jam Festival back in Tucson

Tucson, AZ — After stepping away briefly, the beloved Gem & Jam Festival makes its highly anticipated return to the Sonoran Desert at the Pima County Fairgrounds, running February 6–8, 2026. Now entering its 17th year, the three-day celebration of music, art, performance, and gems & minerals is coming back bigger than ever—powered by a newly announced partnership with renowned independent promoter Relentless Beats.

Known for producing major events like Goldrush Music Festival, DUSK, Decadence Arizona, Experts Only Festival, and more, Relentless Beats joins forces with Gem & Jam to expand the festival’s reach and enhance its creative scope. The collaboration marks a major milestone, setting the stage for the most ambitious edition of Gem & Jam to date.

Staying true to its roots while pushing boldly forward, Gem & Jam 2026 features an 80+ artist lineup that blends genre-defying sounds, high-energy headliners, and rising talent. The result is a musical journey that feels both fresh and unmistakably Gem & Jam.

Artists by Day

Friday, February 6:
CloZee; Desert Dwellers; Flamingosis; Koastle; Lumasi; Moontricks; Stevie Nova; Tauk; The Widdler; Tripp St.; WonkyWilla; Yak Attack; Zone Drums (DJ set); Aireloosh; Baggins; Bodykast; Bush League; Element 83; Legion of Mario; LivvieP; Mental; Naust; Not Yurs; Overcasti; SIV; Zuze

Saturday, February 7:
G Jones b2b EPROM; TroyBoi; 5am Trio; Cool Customer; Devault; High Step Society; J. Worra; Lapa of Emancipator; Luke Petruzzi; Mr. Bill; Nala; Saxsquatch; TV Broken 3rd Eye Open; Coati; Half Dead; JMAU5; KVOLX; Lunarfluxx; Mahsiv; Mastuh; Scotia; Soaplab; Special K; Steve Bones; The Bennu; Tropic Vibration; Walters the Don

Sunday, February 8:
Tycho; 5AM; Artifakts; Boombassador (Boombox x The Polish Ambassador) – first show outside Colorado; Boombox (DJ set); Ivy Lab (DJ set) – Farewell Tour stop; Jason Leech; LIMINOID (Yheti x lespecial) – first West of the Mississippi performance; Motifv; Satin Jackets; Star Monster; Sunsquabi; The Polish Ambassador’s Dead Polish; Yheti b2b Toadface; Allie Radd; Ben Dro; Isaiah Walker; Knostrukt; Lugh Haurie; Oslo Löco; Sava; Sean Watson; Slick Floyd; Speckz; The Haze; Valkorion

The Opal Stage also returns, curated by IDGAFNK, showcasing standout Arizona-based DJs, producers, visual artists, builders, and immersive installations. It’s a late-night hub where creativity and community collide—plus, keep an eye out for secret Opal Afters aboard the infamous Top Secret Bus (if you know, you know).

In support of emerging talent, Gem & Jam will host a DJ competition at Gentle Ben’s in Tucson on January 23, with the winner earning a slot at the festival. A portion of festival proceeds will benefit Tucson Clean & Beautiful.

Spanning 640 acres just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson, the Pima County Fairgrounds offers a wide-open desert backdrop ideal for Gem & Jam’s multi-stage experience. Attendees can expect expanded late-night programming, cutting-edge visuals, custom stage designs, live painting, artist galleries, interactive installations, daytime workshops, gem and mineral showcases, and more.

🎥 Gem & Jam 2024 After-Movie available now.

Tickets for all levels—including single-day passes—are on sale now. VIP options include early campground entry, preferred car camping, exclusive viewing areas, a VIP lounge with complimentary snacks and beverages, upgraded restrooms, and a curated merch gift bag. Payment plans are available.

Camping starts with free walk-in camping (plus a $25 parking fee), with upgraded options including Car Camping, Group Camping (up to 10 vehicles), Glamping, VIP Glamping, and Standard or Deluxe RV passes. Glamping packages feature pre-set insulated tents in a shaded, grassy area with beds, furniture, heaters, and electricity. VIP Glamping adds full VIP festival perks. Glamping options accommodate up to two people.

Gem & Jam is co-produced with Relentless Beats. For tickets, camping details, and updates, visit GemAndJamFestival.com. Follow along on Facebook, X, and Instagram for the latest news.
Gem & Jam Festival is an all-ages event.

Lovejoy Brings Love to Phoenix

The Lovejoy show in Phoenix felt like a shared release between the band and the crowd, the kind of night where everyone arrives already buzzing with anticipation. From the moment they stepped on stage, the room was packed with energy, fans singing along before the first chorus even fully landed. The desert heat outside contrasted with the atmosphere inside the venue, where the excitement kept building with every song.

The band’s chemistry was one of the strongest parts of the performance. Their interactions felt natural and unforced, with small jokes and smiles that made the show feel personal rather than scripted. Songs flowed smoothly from one to the next, balancing louder, fast-paced tracks with moments that let the audience breathe and sway. Vocals were raw and expressive, carrying the emotional weight that fans connect to so deeply in Lovejoy’s music.

By the final songs, the crowd was completely locked in, voices echoing back toward the stage in a way that felt almost overwhelming. It didn’t feel like a band performing for Phoenix so much as performing with it, creating a sense of unity that lingered even after the lights came up. The show left fans sweaty, hoarse, and smiling, the kind of concert that sticks in your memory long after the night ends.

Phoenix Pride 2025

This year’s Phoenix Pride Festival at Steele Indian School Park was a vibrant, emotional, and deeply affirming celebration of the LGBTQ+ community — a weekend that managed to feel both like a massive party and a meaningful act of visibility. From the moment the gates opened, the park transformed into a sea of color, music, and self-expression. Pride flags of every design waved above crowds dressed in glitter, denim, drag, and everything in between. The atmosphere was pure joy, the kind that radiates from a community that knows exactly why it’s celebrating.

The scale of the event was impressive. With multiple stages featuring live music, drag performances, and DJ sets, there was something for everyone. Artists like Snow Tha Product, Big Freedia, and local drag royalty lit up the main stage, while smaller performance areas spotlighted local talent and community speakers. Food trucks lined the paths offering tacos, shaved ice, and festival favorites, and the vendor fair stretched endlessly with queer-owned businesses, crafts, and advocacy booths. Despite the size, the event felt personal — a safe space where every identity and story could exist freely.

What made this year’s Pride stand out wasn’t just the entertainment, but the sense of purpose running through it. Between the laughter and dancing, you could see the presence of community organizations offering resources on health, housing, and LGBTQ+ youth support. Families with kids explored the Youth Zone, couples renewed their vows at the Unity Wedding Pavilion, and trans and nonbinary attendees found affirmation at the Gender Freedom area. Pride wasn’t just about being seen — it was about being supported.

Still, not everything was perfect. Accessibility and cost remain ongoing challenges. Entry fees, while necessary to fund such a large event, can be a barrier for lower-income community members who come for connection more than the concert experience. Some attendees also voiced concerns about accessibility for people with disabilities, as well as the visible police presence, which can feel uncomfortable given Pride’s history as a protest movement born from resistance to police violence. These critiques don’t erase the love and energy of the weekend, but they’re reminders that inclusivity has to extend beyond words and into practice.

Despite those issues, Phoenix Pride 2025 succeeded in what it set out to do: to celebrate the strength, beauty, and resilience of a community that continues to thrive against all odds. It felt like more than a festival — it was a gathering of stories, cultures, and generations coming together under one sky. As the sun set and the final performers closed out their sets, people lingered — dancing, hugging, waving flags — reluctant to let the feeling go.

Phoenix Pride this year was a reminder of what makes Pride powerful. It’s not just the music, the glitter, or the parade. It’s the moment when thousands of people look around and realize they are not alone — that this city, this community, has room for them. It’s messy and imperfect, but it’s alive, loud, and full of heart. And that, more than anything, is what Pride is all about.

Snow Tha Product Makes Phoenix Snow

On a warm Saturday evening at Steele Indian School Park, Snow Tha Product brought an electric surge of energy and representation to Phoenix Pride. Taking the main stage just before headliner Big Freedia, the queer Mexican-American rapper transformed the festival atmosphere into something that felt both intimate and revolutionary. From the moment she stepped out, the crowd — a vibrant mix of queer fans, Latinas, immigrants, and allies — roared in recognition. It wasn’t just about the music; it was about visibility. You could feel that this performance mattered on more levels than one.

Phoenix Pride this year wasn’t simply a party — it carried an edge of defiance, a statement about existing proudly in a time when LGBTQ+ rights are still being challenged across the country. That backdrop gave Snow’s presence extra weight. Her bilingual flow, quick wit, and unapologetic confidence matched the spirit of the festival perfectly. Moving effortlessly between English and Spanish, she gave the audience both a celebration and a mirror. When she shouted out the queer community, the crowd screamed back with pride. When she dropped bars about independence and self-worth, you could see people mouthing the lyrics with tears in their eyes.

Her performance was more than polished rap delivery — it was connection. Snow interacted constantly, pointing out people in the audience, laughing with them, making sure the moment felt shared. Between her high-speed rhymes and sharp humor, she reminded everyone why her fanbase feels more like a family than a following. Tracks like “Waste of Time” and “Bilingue” had the entire field bouncing, but what hit hardest were the moments where she slowed down to speak about authenticity and perseverance. There’s a power in watching someone who embodies so many intersections — queer, Latina, immigrant, independent — take command of a massive stage and make it feel personal.

Even with the limitations of a festival set — shorter time, quick transitions, and the inevitable chaos of multiple acts — Snow’s presence dominated. The production wasn’t overblown, but it didn’t need to be. The rawness worked in her favor; the focus stayed on her lyricism, her energy, and the love radiating between artist and audience. If anything, it left people wanting more — a full headlining night that could explore the depths of her catalogue and storytelling.

By the end of the set, the crowd’s energy had shifted from wild excitement to something more grounded — the satisfaction of being seen. Snow Tha Product didn’t just perform at Phoenix Pride; she created a space where everyone who’s ever felt like an outsider could dance, shout, and belong. Her set was a reminder that representation isn’t a buzzword — it’s an experience. It’s the moment when thousands of people look at the stage and realize they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

Snow Tha Product’s performance wasn’t perfect in technical terms, but it was perfect in heart. It was fierce, funny, and full of community — a celebration of identity wrapped in bass and bilingual bars. As the sun set over Phoenix, it was clear that this wasn’t just another Pride act. It was a statement: we’re here, we’re loud, and we’re not going anywhere.

BETTER TOGETHER 2025

Phoenix, AZ (October 17, 2025) – With headliners Dom Dolla and ODESZA (DJ set) leading the charge, independent powerhouse Relentless Beats is turning up the excitement with the reveal of the complete Better Together lineup. Blending festival favorites with rising stars, this year’s roster pushes creative boundaries and showcases a fresh wave of talent. Newly announced acts include Bolo, DJ Pee.Wee (Anderson .Paak), Duke Dumont, Fallon, Jungle (DJ set), MK, San Pacho, Starjunk 95, Tinashe (Sunset DJ set), Zoe Gitter, Aja Cruz, and J-ME LEE.

Artists by Day:

Saturday, November 22: Dom Dolla; Jungle (DJ set); Duke Dumont; Tinashe (Sunset DJ set); Bolo; Fallon; J-ME LEE.
Sunday, November 23: ODESZA (DJ set); DJ Pee.Wee aka Anderson .Paak; MK; San Pacho; Starjunk 95; Zoe Gitter; Aja Cruz.

This year, Better Together takes root in the heart of Downtown Phoenix at Steele Indian School Park—a lush, historic setting surrounded by green lawns, shade trees, and skyline views. The venue’s central location and convenient transit options, including free light rail rides for ticket holders and ride-share access, make it easier than ever for fans to reunite and celebrate together.

Two-day passes, including General Admission and VIP, are available now starting at $242+ (all-in pricing). Single-day tickets go on sale Friday, October 17, at 10 a.m. PST. Visit www.WeGoBetterTogether.com for all ticketing and table options. Details on Better Together’s community initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks.

Better Together is produced by Relentless Beats. For the latest updates, visit www.WeGoBetterTogether.com and follow @WeGoBetterTogether on Instagram and @WeGoBettertgthr on X. For more on all Relentless Beats events, head to www.relentlessbeats.com or follow along on Instagram and X at @RelentlessBeats, and on Facebook at facebook.com/RelentlessBeats.

Cartel brings Chroma 20 Year Anniversary Tour to Phoenix

Cartel’s Phoenix stop on the Chroma 20 Year Anniversary Tour at The Van Buren on October 12 delivered a potent mix of nostalgia and renewed fire. The air felt electric from the moment they took the stage — a crowd united in memory and present excitement as the band embarked on a full‑throttled tribute to Chroma.

They traversed the album track by track, offering both reverence and reimagination: every guitar riff, vocal harmony, and lyric felt intentional, polished without losing raw edge. There was a sense of time collapsing as longtime fans sang back every line, while newer listeners leaned in, discovering through the performance why Chroma still resonates two decades on.

Throughout the night, Cartel struck a delicate balance between honoring the original versions and embracing the sonic tweaks introduced in Chroma – 2025, their fresh re‑recording. Moments of vulnerability stood beside full-throttle rock anthems; quiet introspective passages gave way to wave after wave of crowd chants and singalongs. The energy never flagged — the audience remained locked in, feeding off the band’s focus and passion.

Visually the show complemented the sound. Lighting cues shifted with the mood, underscoring crescendos and pulling back during softer moments, giving space for the performance to breathe. The stage felt intimate yet grand, as though this was more ritual than concert.

By the time the final chords rang out, it was clear this wasn’t just a reunion or nostalgic throwback — it was a reaffirmation. Cartel showed that Chroma, in all its sonic color and emotional weight, still lives and breathes, not just in memory but in the lives of those who’ve carried it with them. The Phoenix night stood as proof that anniversaries aren’t mere celebrations of the past — they can be prophecies for what’s yet to come.

X Ambassadors’ VHS (X) Tour

Phoenix felt charged as X Ambassadors kicked off their VHS (X) 10-Year Anniversary Tour at The Van Buren, and from the first note, it was clear the night would be a love letter to the album that started it all. Opening with “Renegades,” the band didn’t just perform—they relived every ounce of grit, heart, and hunger that made VHS a breakout moment a decade ago.

Sam Harris commanded the stage with a presence that was both fierce and deeply personal, taking time between songs to reflect on the band’s journey. Tracks like “Unsteady” and “Gorgeous” hit with fresh emotional weight, while deeper cuts like “Fear” and “Low Life” felt like hidden treasures unearthed for longtime fans. Every lyric landed harder with age, and every chorus was met with full-voice singalongs from a crowd that clearly grew up with this record.

The stripped-down moments were just as powerful as the anthemic highs—especially a slowed, aching rendition of “Hold You Down.” By the time the final notes of “Jungle” rang out, the room was buzzing with nostalgia, catharsis, and a deep sense of connection. X Ambassadors didn’t just revisit VHS—they redefined it live, proving that ten years later, it still hits just as hard.

Yo Gabba Gabba

The Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix began with a boom with confetti everywhere as soon as they took the stage. As soon as the characters hit the stage, the venue transformed into a dance party packed with confetti, bubbles, and nonstop music. With crowd favorites like “Party in My Tummy” and “Get the Sillies Out,” the show kept little ones dancing and smiling. My personal favorite song was “Dont Bite Your Friends” as the venue filled with laughter.

The total showtime was just about 80 minutes including a 15 minute intermission which felt like the perfect length to keep the little ones attention. The interactive show kept kids dancing all night and reminded parents to lay back and laugh with their kids. The crew brought out a few surprise guests which included fans from the crowded for dance parties, dance offs, and overall having a silly and goofy time.

Whether it was a child’s first concert or a parent reliving memories from a decade ago, the experience offered something special for everyone. The show also reminded everybody regardless of age that its okay to be silly and have fun, which I think more adults need to be reminded of sometimes