Pep Talks Tour Takes DC
Image courtesy of Instagram @judahandthelion
By Catherine O’Grady
A massive white sheet separated the stage from the audience. The lights dimmed and the chords of the first song struck with a light show pulsating across the curtain and the shadows of the band dancing across the floor. The crowd erupted.
Thursday, September 12th at 8 p.m., The Anthem, a venue located in The Wharf in DC, hosted Judah and the Lion. The band is an alternative folk and rock band from Tennessee that was formed in 2011. The band is made up of Judah Akers on lead vocals, Brian Macdonald on mandolin and vocals, and Nate Zuercher on banjo and vocals. This concert was a part of their Pep Talks World Tour, named after their most recent album.
The evening began with the opening act, The Colonies, a local band consisting of George Washington University graduates.
After the long hour of waiting between the two acts, the show the audience came for finally began. The curtain drop revealed the band in their custom sports-themed merchandise in bold primary colors. The band started the show with “Pep Talks,” the title song their most recent album, followed up by “Quarter- Life Crisis.”
Atkers then spoke to the audience about how excited he was for the evening and warned that the night might get a little weird.
Throughout the concert, Akers split the audience into two halves and created a competitive atmosphere.
The album was dropped on May 3, 2019, and consists of the band’s most personal songs, as they drew from personal life experiences. Atkers drew from his own family trauma and his experiences dealing with depression, anxiety, alcoholism, death, and divorce.
Halfway through the concert, Atkers got very personal with the audience sharing his struggles with depression and loneliness, especially during his time on tour.
“Whatever you’re struggling with whether it’s depression or anxiety or suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. You can go out of here and do whatever you want.”
The crowd responded well to Atkers vulnerability.
“That was the most personal concert I’ve ever been too. It was like he was talking to us individually,” said a concert attendee in the bathroom.
The entire show was wildly entertaining, with the high energy of the performers that resonated well with the audience. The band played with EDM style music, light shows and a mix between folk and rock music, that played so loud the audience’s ears were ringing the day after.
CUA Carolyn Albright, sophomore psychology and philosophy major, attended the concert.
“The atmosphere was raw, emotional, and energetic,” said Albright. “The concert was very entertaining and authentic. It didn’t just feel like something the band does every night, but they truly made the experience feel personal and real.”
The evening ended with “Take It All Back,” one of the band’s most popular songs and a farewell from the band. Until next time Judah.
