Exclusive Road to Gem & Jam Guest Mix: Dredlok

As Gem & Jam Music Festival grows closer and closer every day, it seems as if the EDM is buzzing with excitement from this incredible 3-day extravaganza. With 14 years already under their belt, this 15th-anniversary celebration is not to be missed especially with this year’s absolutely stacked lineup featuring heavy hitters such as Dirtwire, The Floozies, emancipator, and more. There is no doubt that this year also has an immense roster of talented artists, and today we are showcasing yet another one of these amazing creatives, Dredlok. With his wide range of musical knowledge, Dredlok not only takes his listeners on a journey through sound but incorporated live instruments such as the ukelele and didgeridoo into his sets. Dredlok has put together an absolute heater of a mix for us today to transport us into his musical world and give listeners a taste of the vibes that are to come from his set at Gem & Jam Music Festival in a few weeks. Sit back, relax and join us on this ride as we get an exclusive look at all there is to come Friday, February 3 – Sunday, February 5, 2023 at Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, AZ. 

Diving Deep w/ Dredlok

1. What are you most excited about playing at Gem & Jam ?

Recently, I feel like I am living inside the hopes and dreams of my younger self, and this festival is a big part of that. Seeing “Dredlok” on the same lineup as some of the first acts I ever saw live is mind-blowing. Those experiences are some of the best memories I have, and I feel extremely lucky to have my music be a part of that for so many people

2. What goes into preparing for bigger sets at these types of events?

A lot of time and energy goes into every set whether it’s a major festival or a small underground show. For this type of event, I take into account the entire lineup to decide what kind of vibe I want to create for the expected crowd. I keep track of which songs I’ve played before in every location to keep things fresh when I return, but this is my first time in Arizona so everything I’ve ever made is on the table.

3. What can attendees expect from your set at Gem & Jam Festival?

All original music with some remixes, live sampling, electric ukulele, digital saxophone, singing and a lot of energy. I’ve found that people generally like to hear things that they recognize, but also want to be surprised by something new. Combining samples and acapellas from my favorite artists with my original music is how I go about that. The live element makes the whole thing even more intimate because I am physically creating those sounds in a different way every time.

4. Outside of your set, what are you most excited to experience while at the festival?

Going to events like this is what inspired me to become a musician. I’m looking forward to wandering around in a new environment, discovering new artists, listening to some of my long-time favorites, and dancing my butt off while knowing that I get to contribute to the energy of the festival. I haven’t seen Haywyre since I got into live shows many years back, so I am especially excited for that set.