We Are Story Tellers
Judah and the Lion kicked off their The Process Tour with Indianapolis as their second stop! The folk-pop duo, consisting of Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald, is celebrating their newest album, The Process. With over a decade of experience, they have firmly made their mark in the music industry, reaching fans of all ages along the way. Leaning into their pop roots, the album explores their approach to grief, taking the listener through the five stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. In its entirety, both the album and its live performance offered a beautiful journey, not just for the band, but for the crowd as well.
To start the night off, opening act Ethan Regan captivated the crowd with his folky tunes, drawing listeners in with the delicate twang of the banjo and the soothing calmness of his acoustics. I enjoyed the lightheartedness of his set and the way the crowd was clearly moved by his performance! His music seemed to transport some of the OG Judah and the Lion fans back in time to their earlier, more stripped-down roots.
The night began as a standout moment, with Judah and Brian starting in the middle of the crowd, inviting fans into their camaraderie and making everyone feel like part of the family through stories, chants, and a song. Breaking that barrier between stage and audience right from the start is something I’d never seen before, but I truly hope more artists take note as it was such a powerful way to connect. Once they made their way back to the stage, they reenacted the chant with their bandmates before taking the spotlight once again and reinforcing that family-like feeling. Each song was clearly handpicked for the tour, mixing their new and old music while sprinkling in funny anecdotes that brought the music even more to life! The crowd was a mix of longtime fans from the Sweet Tennessee era and a new generation of kids dancing alongside their parents who had been there since the beginning. Akers’ vocals throughout the night showcased his gritty, raw sound, which was something even more incredible to hear live. And Macdonald’s energy on the banjo added an extra layer of excitement, especially during crowd favorites like “Take It All Back,” where the room practically shook with everyone singing along. Overall, I couldn’t have imagined a better night!
As someone who’s followed the band since high school, it was genuinely special to experience Judah and the Lion live, especially during a tour as personal and reflective as this one. If their stop in Indy was any indication, The Process Tour is bound to leave a lasting impact. With plenty of shows still ahead, fans across the country are in for something unforgettable! Check out the rest of their tour here!
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