Duluth’s most determined purveyors of rhythm and blues, funk, and jazz are back at Homegrown after a hectic 2024. The Gemstones bring powerhouse soundscapes and all-around funk/rock sex-suasion to the stage. With Courtney Ellian’s smooth and sultry keyboard stylings, Manny Eisele’s low-end on bass, Josh Nickila’s vintage sound on guitar, Ian Hopp’s “madman on funk-ahol” drumming — and all four on vocals — the band is ready for an even bigger 2025. Work on a new album began in February with Ryan Rusch at the Weight Room Recording Studio in Ashland.