Judah & the Lion may be classified as folk / Americana and have the appropriate instruments but they sure don’t act like it. USA Today described them as “The Beastie Boys got really into the banjo.” Promoting their new album “Folk Hop N Roll” they performed at the Varsity Saturday.
Opening for them was The Saint Johns a duo from Nashville, TN who just released their new album “Dead Of Night”. Their music is quiet and soulful. Singer Jordan Meredith commented on the Varsity’s bathrooms and that she felt tempted to just sit in the sink. Their set also included a nicely done cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Rhiannon.
Judah & the Lion took to the stage with a dramatic intro piece and hit the ground running. They are very engaged with their audience and the closeness of the Varsity certainly helped. Singer Judah Akers was able to leisurly stroll from stage into the audience a couple of times. Kiss’ “Rock’n Roll all night” was a surprise cover that fit in well with the overall feel. At some point fans shouted for Brian to take his shirt off, as he had done at a past show in Minneapolis. Throughout the set the band maintained their high energy level making for a very entertaining. lighthearted evening