A small music festival paired with one of the largest gem and mineral shows in the world. The thought alone will make you think they’ve lost their marbles, but Gem & Jam reflects the magical energy of the precious stones and crystals on display in the nearby Tucson Convention Center. The wildly colorful venue is chock-full of unforgettable music performances, mind-blowing visuals and, of course, the most breathtaking discoveries to emerge from the Earth.

Attendees were treated to a double dose of STS9, two nights of Lettuce, Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Emancipator and Breaking Biscuits (featuring members of the Disco Biscuits and Break Science). Other exciting performances came courtesy of Random Rab, Thriftworks, and Govinda.

Last year was a successful one for Gem & Jam; the fest embraced a move from Downtown Tucson to a venue that offered a desert setting with expanded amenities including camping. The twelfth annual event this year was a chance for the fest to further spread its wings. Returning to Pima County Fairgrounds for a second straight year, over the course of January 25-28, 2018, Gem & Jam showed no signs of slowing down by attracting some of the biggest talent from the scene.

Behold festive and fun shots from photographer Peter Speyer, showcasing festies in full swing, below.