Judah and the Lion with Jay Matthes, Cedarburg Summer Sounds, July 24,2015

photo by Will Piper

The news around town this week focused on the Milwaukee Lion, an elusive beast that was reported as being seen in the north side of the city by several residents.  While the infamous #mkelion was no where to be found in Ozaukee County last evening, a lion of a different nature turned up at picturesque Cedar Creek Park in the form of Americana rockers from Nashville, Judah and the Lion.  They were a "mane" attraction for festival goers to say the least.

Keeping with their theme of booking up-and-coming national acts, the park was packed to hear jams from this talented group of musicians, fronted by Judah Akers on lead guitar and vocals, Brain Macdonald on mandolin and vocals and Nate Zuercher on banjo and vocals.  The two words that come to mind when describing Judah and the Lion are "high-energy."  Whether playing their own original tunes or an eclectic array of covers, the passion and enthusiasm was easily seen and heard on each track from the band.

Judah and the Lion's original work from their 2014 debut release Kids These Days, played best and showcased the individual and collective prowess of the musicians.  Tracks like the foot stomping, "Kickin' de Leaves," and "Hold On" were highlights.  Some of the crowd was very familiar with Judah and the Lion, and requested some of their earlier Christian rock numbers, which in many ways were show stand outs in terms of capturing the raw energy and passion of this act.

Opening for Judah and the Lion was Wauwatosa native Jay Matthes who I had the pleasure of interviewing recently for Ozaukee Magazine.  Like the headliner, Matthes drew from a combination of original tunes and diverse covers.  His rendition of Michael Jackson's infectious "Billy Jean," was well received as was original song, "Eleven Eleven," his set closer, the upbeat "What Pretty Girls Do" off of his debut record, A Drier Place released last year.

On a hot and steamy summer's evening, it was clear from the sweaty condition the performers were in at the end of their sets that Jay Matthes and Judah and the Lion did their best to bring the heat to Summer Sounds.