LinE uP

You’re local heroes, the Breaking world champions and the founders of Jams & Gems festival; THE RUGGEDS. They have planned a special act for the evening and it’s part of the free day program so it’s hard to miss.

Royston grew up on his family's love for Motown's music, dancing and enjoying food on every get together.

With a background in hip-hop culture and being a dancer himself, he knows what kind of music is nice to dance to. The whole reason he and his childhood friends started djing was the absence of it in their city. After years of traveling the world together as dancers and finding more and more interesting music, Connect The Odds was established. A Music Collective where bridges are being built between artforms and different styles of music and movement.

With a collection of his warmest house tunes, breaks and classics to dance to he will be opening our festival and set a warm summery mood.

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Our first live performance of the day!

We are lucky to introduce; CITY PARK. They are the sound of European capitals by night. The ‘fuzzy R&B’ band based in Amsterdam deliver a minimalist yet infectious, warm sound. A lush fusion of soulful melodies and indie grooves, their songs have amassed a steady following in cities like Paris, Copenhagen, Brussels and Barcelona. Inspired by the idea of an art exhibition, their new string of releases will each be paired with bespoke physical art pieces by artists, photographers, illustrators, and makers. Past releases have featured collaborations with Seoul-based illustrator Jiye Kim and Parisian Noémie Cedille. Sonically taking cues from 80s disco and modern indie, the energy of city parks with quiet corners amidst the hustle and bustle form the red thread in everything the band puts out. With signature falsetto vocals, chorused guitar runs and sparse production, City Park is gearing up for what might be their most exciting year yet both in the studio as well as on stage.

We are thrilled to bring VAUDOU GAME to Jams & Gems this year. One of the most exciting bands in the scene. Highly addictive and hip moving voodoo funk! Vaudou Game combines voodoo rhythms, raw afro-funk and soul, and the music of the band recalls the sound of legendary bands like Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou and El Rego from Benin. Peter Solo, singer and composer of the band was born in Aného-Glidji (Togo), birthplace of the Guin tribe and place of voodoo culture, just like the whole region of Togo and Benin. 

The idea of integrating the haunting voodoo lines, sung in honor of the Divinities, into energetic 70s afrofunk, is, in Peter Solo’s mind, an obvious extension of the analogy he found between this voodoo tradition and trance inducers such as the soul, funk, and rhythm ‘n blues of James Brown and Otis Redding. It’s no doubt that they will turn Ketelhuisplein upside down! No ticket needed, just bring yourself and good vibrations.

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Last year he was playing alongside Gaidaa but this year he’s returning as its own gem.

Multi-instrumentalist and producer ANAN YA’ARIi has been involved in writing, co-producing and playing for artists since the age of 16. Anan Ya’ari is known for his work with Jarreau Vandal, Full Crate, Tyrell Jackson (3T), Alain Clark and many other legends. He now shares his own personal work for the first time as he released his first EP called YU in 2021. His sound can best be described as the intersection of alternative R&B, Neosoul, Jazz and Hip-Hop.

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Jason Lemonth (ODIN) is no longer a stranger. In 2018 he graduated from the Herman Brood Academy, and has grown into a versatile DJ, producer, curator and organizer. As a DJ he mainly plays Hip-Hop & R&B and under his own name Jason Lemonth he also increasingly immerses himself in House, Soul, Funk and Jazz. ODIN has now done quite a few residencies at concepts such as Yardbird, Chocolate and Encore Amsterdam, with which he has also been on tour to Japan and Bali. In addition, he has often been seen at quite a few leading festivals such as Lowlands, Down The Rabbit Hole, Paaspop, WooHah, Milkshake! and more. Since the Lockdown he can also be heard on Open Source Radio, with his own program “The Morning Show” where he plays his favorite music monthly and has officially joined the Sublime DJ team since 2022!

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Jasmijn brings a vibrant twist to Dutch Indie Pop, blending synthesizers and atmospheric soundscapes. With hints of hip-hop and infectious dancefloor beats, her music captivates listeners with its unique fusion. Her delicate vocals, accentuated by her distinctive soft "g," serve as a vessel to convey powerful messages through her songs. As a multi-talented artist—singer, songwriter, and producer—Jasmijn unleashes an energetic sound that fills the room, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in her introspective musings. Prepare to be enchanted as you embark on a musical journey with Jasmijn, where her catchy melodies and thought-provoking lyrics leave an indelible impression.

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Sabrina is a performance artist and poet.

Poetry is how she makes the unseen visible, how she envelopes emotions, thoughts and life experiences into the idealistic an romantic form that is poetry. she has spend more than 7 years writing poems and finding ways to connect with others through performance and spoken word. In the last 2 years she has spend her time exploring hope and hope in the context of her religious beliefs. Recently she has created a collection of poems around this subject. Poetry has been her way to pray, heal and mourn, and it will always be an honour to be able to share this with others.

Sanjaya is a sensitive and philosophical creator. With previous involvement in projects like Sites of Memory and years of event production experience, including notable contributions to events like ADE, he has also produced beats for Kaascouse. In 2022, he released an interdisciplinary exhibition, documentary, and EP titled "Adopted and Adapted" under his project Wethepeople.

Through "Adopted and Adapted," Sanjaya explores boundaries and challenges himself and others to create shared common ground in the liminal space. Inspired by his own experience of adoption and the accompanying multidimensional and multicultural in-betweenness, he delves into thought-provoking artistic endeavors that reflect this unique perspective. Prepare to be moved and engaged as Sanjaya's current projects unfold, offering profound insights into the human condition and the transformative power of embracing our own complex identities.

Isis van Geffen is a twenty-five-year-old cabaret and kleinkunst student from Den Bosch, with a fascination for the absurd, morbid, whimsical, imperfect, mischievous, and grubby aspects of humanity. On May 29th, Isis will make her debut with her poetry collection titled "Isis, not Iris" published by Proces Verbaal.

Prepare to immerse yourself in a quirky, deceptive, and humorously twisted world where frozen tiger prawns, towering doctor's wives, and nibbling koi carp will haunt your thoughts for years to come. Isis invites you to join her on this smudgy, mischievous, and humorous journey through her poetic musings, promising an unforgettable experience that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

In Eindhoven, the name Y'skid is a quality mark when it comes to music. Whether it concerns productions or DJ sets. As a legitimate festival with good music, you can't get away without him having a slot.

Don’t expect cheesy hits, but rather funky beats from all kinds of genres and eras.

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If we’re talking about ‘Jams & Gems’ then it should include ROB MANGA. We enjoyed his set so much last year we had to put him on again. @djrobmanga is a DJ and producer, member of the rising @ghettofunkcollective . He has claimed his reputation as top club DJ by being capable taking multi-ethnic, age mixed crown on a sonic trip through funk, soul, hip-hop, breaks, house and dance classics.

You must know her by now but if you don’t yet we are honored to introduce her. This independent, young multidisciplinary gem is inevitable. LATAYANA ALBERTO creates unique melodies, bridges genres and extends stories. Her meaningful lyrics read like poetry and will lead us to the evening program.

KAPELA is gonna turn day into night with his Jams & Gems debut. From being a world renowned dancer to becoming a passionate DJ. Since 2016 the Parisian has grown into his passion for music as a DJ. He made his debut at Djoon Club @djoonclub (Paris). Kapela is known to craft sets with a blend of soulful and ancestral afro house sounds. He surely reads the room and knows how to navigate with the crowd's energy.

This had led him to play alongside Black Coffee (two opening sets in 2022),

Osunlade, Black Motion, Caiiro, Boddhi Satva and many more.

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As the founder of Eindhoven’s rising collective Connect the Odds, he will start off the clubnight to set the tone. FORTBEIGE is a producer/DJ by ear, a musician by heart and a dancer by nature. He knows the dancefloor like no other since his marks have been made in the dancing scene. He's known for his unique mixes and blends of various genres. His DJ sets are rhythmic and vary from house and funk to broken beats. 

Though he likes to mix it up, knows his classics and takes trips along the eclectic road with hip-hop, soul and his homegrown edits.

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Always surrounded by a musical environment from an early age, there was no other way for NALA to make her first steps as a DJ in 2016. Ever since she started off, she surprised people with her track selection and vibe directions. So far this already brought her several residencies, festival bookings (such as Lowlands, ADE, Mysteryland) and club gigs in- and outside her homecountry (Antwerp, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Bali, Jakarta a.o.) Because of all the musical influences that she has acquired during her life, NALA focuses on a variety of genres, such as Hiphop, R&B, Afro/Dancehall, but also the less commercial known genres such as future beats, (neo)soul, house, baile funk, UK and bass. During her sets you will hear how versatile she can be with her mix in energy, genres and BPM’s.

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Probably the crowds favorite DJ of all the @connectheodds editions. LUCYLOVE is one of our essentials at Jams & Gems. It’s impressive how her sets vary every time and how she blends her tracks in the most unique way. Coming from Amsterdam she’s used to play clubs, raves and festivals. With a whole library of deep sounds she’s always capable to turn it up a notch. Get your tickets for @connecttheodds if you’re ready to go till 4AM.

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Make sure you get your tickets for @connecttheodds cause WAXFIEND is coming! 

For over a decade this DJ from Amsterdam quickly became one of Europe’s

most sought after and respected DJ’s. Combining music from genres like HipHop, Dancehall, Afrobeat, House, Soul, R&B and more he curates a unique sound that captivates worldwide audiences in the clubs, and on the radio and the internet! Over the years he has opened (arena)shows for artists like Rihanna, Young Thug, Kaytranada, SBTRKT, Kehlani, Sean Paul and many more. He has been nominated for several

awards including ‘Best DJ’ at the Dutch MOBO Awards and has won ‘Best Mixtape’ & ‘Best Party’. Always focussing on what’s next WaxFiend is currently focussing on creating a bigger platform for South African electronic music in Amsterdam. His Tribes and Ziongate events are currently the biggest celebrations of these sounds and he has brought some of SA’s most prolific artist’s to Amsterdam already.

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Check his insane vibes at Lowlands

It is LAMSI that will close off Jams & Gems festival 2023.

Where LAMSI his love for 2000’s Hip-Hop/R&B once began, his journey has continued to explore and merge. Music like Grime, Afro-diasporic electronica & deconstructed breaks easily to his mind. He strives to introduce productions with distinctive rhythms and catchy melodies to the crowd. Moreover, @lamsi ’s ambitious approach has recently led to potential collaborations with Bambii, Stormzy, Jarreau Vandal, Top Boy and many others that soon will follow. Other highlights previously include Lamsi’s breakthrough during ADE and guest appearances for Rinse FM, he is now ready to knock us out the park.