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Judah & the Lion Wrap Up Opening Leg of The Process Tour with a Joyous Hometown Show at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium
by Rich and Laura Lynch
Judah & the Lion performed at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, October 26th in support of their fifth studio album The Process (2024) and by all accounts the evening represented a joyous homecoming for the group's two main principles who met years earlier while attending college in Music City.
Judah & the Lion brought The Process home to Nashville in 2024.
Yes, the occasion was joyful and celebratory even if the material for The Process was a sonic exploration into the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance) pulled from the real-world experiences described in public reports as a difficult stretch for frontman Judah Akers that included a divorce and mental health struggles.
Formed in 2011, Judah & the Lion are a Nashville based band consisting of Judah Akers (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Brian Macdonald (mandolin, vocals). The original members met at Belmont University where they won Belmont's 2012 Best of the Best competition. In the same year, they released their debut EP First Fruits. From there, Judah & the Lion continued to craft their own brand of alternative rock. They cemented their local status as hometown heroes in 2020 when they penned the official anthem "Never Give Up On You" for Nashville SC with the track being played post match at every game by the MLS soccer club.
Judah & the Lion are technically a duo but their expanded live band made a palpable roar in Music City.
Back at the vintage downtown sports arena, Judah & the Lion worked their way through The Process while blending in their classics through a stage show that was more often pulsating and energetic with a few quieter moments thrown in for greater reflection and therapeutic effect. The first emotion to be tackled was denial with songs such as "Heartbreak Syndrome" and "Quarter Life Crisis". Red lights along with expressive instrumentation moved us into anger with "scream!" really putting an exclamation point on that step. Lighting and video enhancements were used throughout the concert to support the mood and narrative.
Part of bargaining is engaging in all kinds of mental exercises in hopes of trying to undo something that cannot be undone which brought us to the musical statement of "Is What it Is". Acoustic elements were used to underline one's feeling of depression and finally acceptance where you learn to live with the loss and allow joy and sorrow to live alongside one another.
Brian Macdonald and Judah Akers were impressive at their tour closer in Nashville.
Many associate grief with death but other major events can trigger it so The Process speaks to folks wherever they may be in life. One of the highpoints of the show was "Only Want The Best" a heartbreak song with a positive statement of goodbye. Fans who had been give colored pieces of paper held them up with their phone lights for a moving moment during that anthem. Despite the heavy subject matter most of the concert rocked leading to a rewarding conclusion.
Fans who might have found themselves mourning this last night of the tour can stave off their own process as Akers revealed from the stage that this October trek was mostly likely only the very first leg of a cycle that will stretch well into next year as Judah & the Lion's emergence as one of modern rock's most exciting and sought after bands on the scene continues to unfold.
Abe Parker packed a punch in the support slot.
On Saturday, two acts opened for Judah & the Lion. First was VEAUX featuring brothers Aaron Wagner, Dominick Wagner and Andrew Black. The trio move to Nashville in 2018 and since then they have achieved more than a half million streams. It is likely that VEAUX gained some new followers during their slot that showcased danceable beats paired with lyrics touching upon deeper topics. Next was Abe Parker an alternative artist from Atlanta, Georgia. His style is described as a pop-oriented approach to sad-boy music. It seemed like a lot of the G.A. fans were familiar with Abe's work as they sang along to his pensive but peppy prose. Parker pens relatable songs such as his closing number "Live, Laugh, Love" that he said was about self-sabotage. Thus, all three bands delivered solid sets of rather serious material in Music City.
Judah & the Lion are among a long list of entertainers to perform at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. The venue was built in 1962 as a multi-purpose facility that has hosted historic concerts and events during its tenure. Below the auditorium is the Musicians Hall of Fame a premiere Nashville attraction. This museum honors the artists and instruments from various genres who have appeared on some of the greatest recordings of all time. Please check out their websites for more information.
Local act VEAUX got the ball rolling in Nashville.
Related Links:
For more information on JUDAH & THE LION and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Judah & the Lion |
Abe Parker |
VEAUX |
Nashville Municipal Auditorium
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