The iconic Gem & Jam Festival returned to Tucson February 2 – 4, 2024 for its 16th anniversary, and the vibes were electric. The festival attracts music lovers, performers, artists, and gem lovers alike from far and wide. Among the attendees, one story stands out amid the crowd. It’s the story of Maggie and her mom, Becky, two extraordinary women whose journey to get to Gem & Jam Festival is inspiring and worth celebrating.
For Maggie, the decision to attend the festival wasn’t just about enjoying a weekend of music — it was a deliberate choice to embrace life in the face of adversity. Their shared story with music starts when Maggie was a kid. Maggie recounted that her mom, Becky, used to take her to FloydFest as a child in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As Maggie navigated through the challenges of her preteen years and the demands of life got in the way, attending festivals together became a rare occurrence, marking a 12-year hiatus in their shared musical adventures.
Sometime last year, that hiatus decidedly came to an end. Gem & Jam 2024 seemed to be the perfect weekend of music for them, and the two set out on plans to attend the festival together as mother and daughter. In October of 2023, life took an unexpected turn. Becky received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, marking the beginning of a period of uncertainty for her and her loved ones.
Her journey has been rocky, but small glimpses of hope began to emerge when Becky began to feel better after each round of chemotherapy. Gem & Jam was something Becky and Maggie could look forward to, and it was something to keep Becky going. Maggie shared about the wonderful crafts her mom poured herself into, making totems and hoods in preparation for the festival weekend.
Gem & Jam offered a diverse array of artists to see, with genres ranging from jam bands to downtempo. While Becky has been a lifelong Dead Head and Phish fan, Maggie was able to share her love of jam bands, while also seeing electronic artists this weekend like Madhaus and TRUTH. Maggie shared that the one set that stood out for her and her mom was seeing Andy Frasco & the U.N. During their set, Andy shared that his mother was cancer-free after a 5-year battle with Leukemia. Surrounded by the magic of the festival and the crowd, it was a cathartic moment that seemed to be made just for Maggie and her mom to experience. Maggie spent the time holding her mom, an embrace that highlights the true meaning of love and togetherness.
The festival also offered unique experiences beyond the music. The live artwork, workshops, and performers were just some of the ways Gem & Jam is fully immersive as a festival. Although it feels small, one highlight of Gem & Jam is that the venue never feels crowded. My group was able to bring a cart and chairs each day.
Maggie and Becky shared they had no problem navigating the grounds with their cart as well. The pair especially enjoyed the Eternally Grateful Tent, which was an installation dedicated to memorializing friends and loved ones who have passed. Maggie recounted the experience at the installation together was serendipitous, allowing Maggie and Becky to celebrate life and memories together while reading the lyrics and poems.
Maggie and Becky’s story touches on the importance of advocating for yourself, and as Maggie shared with me, making yourself comfortable in spaces that might not always offer comfort at face value. Sometimes what matters is embracing life’s moments and finding joy even in challenging circumstances. In doing so, their story embodies the spirit of Gem & Jam, where attendees gather to celebrate life, music, and human connection.
We at Moon Lvnding are extremely grateful to have learned about Maggie and Becky’s story, and their shared love of music. We offer our heartfelt wishes for Becky to continue her fight, and for her to find moments of peace, comfort, and hope along the way.
