Judah & the Lion unveiled their full-length album, The Process on May 10, 2024. The album has been described as an intentional journey through the 5 stages of grief. Each song represents a raw and honest chapter related to mourning. The songs with literal stages of grief in the title (e.g. “Anger”) are instrumentals that help divide the album into segments. Lyric credit to Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald with supporting talent on some songs. A theme during the Red Rocks performance was the message of going through grief because you can’t skip over it. The band provided ample evidence that joy is available on the other side of the process. The 19-tracks include:
- “Denial”
- “Heartbreak Syndrome”
- “F LA”
- “ANGER”
- “Floating in the Night”
- “Great Decisions”
- “Song of a Gun” featuring K. Flay
- “Bargaining”
- “Starting Over”
- “Is What It Is”
- “DEPRESSION”
- “Self-Inflicted Wounds”
- “S.I.S.”
- “Only Want the Best”
- “ACCEPTANCE”
- “Long Dark Night”
- “Heart Medicine”
- “Leave it Better Than You Found It” featuring Ruston Kelly
- “Sweet Surrender”
Currently supporting NEEDTOBREATHE’s The Caves World Tour, Judah & the Lion will embark on their own headlining tour starting in October of 2024. Tickets are on sale now. The tour includes a performance on October 9, 2024 at The Fillmore Auditorium, in Denver.
The iconic Red Rocks venue was a magical stage for the emotive band. Akers almost levitated across the sacred stone stage. The charismatic band takes the audience on an energetic ride where you physically and emotionally feel the music. The story telling, moments of choreographed dancing and just plain positive magnetic energy had the 10,000-person venue captivated.
The entire band invited the crowd to a celebration – a celebration of life and the new album. Akers promised the audience that if 250 copies of the new album were sold the night of the Red Rocks show they would host a special acoustic set post concert. The challenge was achieved and lucky fans experienced an up close and personal acoustic set near the Red Rocks Trading Post after the night’s final encore.
Judah & the Lion reminded everyone that no matter who you are or the type of challenge you are facing, gaining the skills to navigate grief and learning to process your emotions are critical skills to cultivate on the journey of life.
Red Rocks Set List: supporting NEEDTOBREATHE on 5.19.2024
- “Long Dark Night” (acoustic)
- “Beautiful Anyway”
- “Is What it Is”
- “Only Want the Best”
- “Spirit”
- “Suit & Jacket”
- “Mr. Brightside” (The Killers cover)
- “Snap Yo Fingers” (Lil Jon song)
- “Floating in the Night”
- “Take it all Back”
- “Long Dark Night”
Still pondering the lyrics of the profound track “Long Dark Night.”
“Oh, it’s the long, dark night of the soul
Where you find the light;
Oh, it’s six-feet deep where you’ve got to go
To come alive to this beautiful life.”
Buy the album and catch a show to experience the magic of Judah & the Lion! For more information:
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Story and photos by Deb Schaefer debschaeferlivemusic.com and Instagram
