Article and Photography by: Ian Urquhart
South Burlington, Vermont – Unknown to the Vermont acreage, Judah & the Lion were welcome with open arms and a sold out show at the Higher Ground Ballroom in Burlington, Vermont. Their first visit to the Green Mountain state left quite the impression as the news buzzed around town about the, “$0.99 show at Higher Ground Thursday night”. Pre-performance chants could be heard from the locally adored, Al’s French Fries while lead vocalist, Judah Akers, and the rest of the Tennessee gang gathered onstage to welcome to happily awaited Vermonters.
Traditionally focusing my musical admiration towards the heavy metal scene, a folk band with a fast banjo will forever make me want to dance. Off their most recent album FOLK HOP ‘N ROLL (2016), Judah & the Lion opened the evening with Kicken Da Leaves, a foot taping, hand clapping melody sending the crowed into a frolicking frenzy. Such a light spirit could be felt throughout the hall while Brian Macdonald, lead mandolin and Nate Zuercher, lead banjo harmonized their stringed instruments to pace along with the bass drum lead by Spencer Cross. Similar pieces such as Hold On (Kids These Days -2014) sent each soul searching listener into their hippy dance with one another while consistent beat tapping was felt from entrance to stage.
Thursday December 1st, 2016 at the Higher Ground Ballroom was much more than a musical demonstration of the folk genre. Quite the contrary. A sense of comradery was immediately felt while Judah and the fellas suddenly broke into a, “booty popping” harmony as the PA system blasted T-Pain’s 2011 hit – Booty Wurk. Sensing the crowd’s response, this certainly resulted with floundering reaction from the older population while the younger crowd approved. None the less, there will always be one song every generation can agree upon with regards to a spontaneous performance. For this Thursday night crowd, that song was The Killer’s – Mr. Brightside. Every voice could be heard while Judah & the Lion seamlessly performed this number behind the lead vocals of the Burlington crowed present that night.
Before the evening resolution, Judah Akers addressed the college dominant community to express his most important aspect of living – being happy with what you do. For Judah and the Lion, this took a cumulative effort of each member dropping out of higher education systems to chase a dream. Although this was not a proper endorsement amongst a crowd taking final exams in two weeks, what was translated thoroughly was that you must follow your heart.
Concluding the vibe rejuvenating evening, the radio played – Take It All Back 2.0 (FOLK HOP ‘N ROLL, 2016) sing along sent everyone home with a story to tell their friends. Like – minded jumping filled the crowed as the catchy, fan favorite tune resonated through the ears of those present. A heartening farewell to an evening filled with laughter and bliss left smiles on all those returning to their New England homes.
Final thoughts:
Although I search for my biased musical thrills in head banging – heavy rock performances, witnessing such a true and passionate demonstration of a band’s attempt to spread happiness and warmth to those listening, left me with a feeling of gratification. Knowing that this evening was spent with performers who truly devote their lives to spread solace, I as well returned home with a smile, cheek to cheek. Judah & the Lion, bravo!