Nashville based American-folk band Judah and the Lion brought a high-energy, passionate performance to a sold out audience at The Square Room Thursday night

It was their second stop on their tour for their first full album “Kids These Days,” but the band played a mix of songs from their new album as well as their two previous EP’s, “First Fruits” and “Sweet Tennessee.” They performed with a contagious level of excitement and enthusiasm that the audience couldn’t help but respond to.

Opening band Penny and Sparrow started the night of with calming music that immediately quieted the crowd with haunting, melodic songs, yet kept the atmosphere light by exchanging witty comments and lighthearted jokes.

Although the audience seemed somewhat somber when Judah and the Lion took the stage, they instantly captured the crowd’s attention. They tapped into the underlying excitement of the room by firing into their first song “Kickin’ Da Leaves,” with an eagerness and zeal they maintained throughout the night’s performance.

In between songs, lead singer Judah Akers encouraged the crowd to sing-along, dance and engage in the music with them.

“Don’t be afraid to get weird,” he said laughing, “but don’t get too weird.”

Akers explained the inspiration for some of his songs, particularly ones with strong spiritual ties. He wrote “Back’s Against the Wall” for his mother while she was going through a difficult time, finding encouragement from her strength and faith.

Though it’s not uncommon for Southern bands to sing about faith, Judah and the Lion intentionally took time during their performance to direct attention to their spiritual roots, the basis for many of their songs. During their performance of “Scared,” the band-mates held up signs that read, “Fear not, He is here,” speaking at separate times about their faith and their love of writing praise songs.

Other numbers, such as “Southern Ground,” and “Mason-Dixon Line,” denoted the other side of their Southern pride. Akers even gave a shout-out to loyal Vol fans during “Sweet Tennessee,” saying, “Even through all the losses you don’t lose hope and you keep cheering,” right before bursting into the bridge that sang, “She won’t give up on me.”

Most of the songs from their new album clearly reflect where the band members are personally and are especially relatable to their main, college-aged audience. Songs such as “Twenty-Somethings” and “Rich Kids” are about being young, full of life, short on cash and unsure about the future while still living to the fullest and embracing that season of life.

Being a Vol fan himself, Akers has deep-set affection for Knoxville and expressed his enjoyment of headlining The Square Room.

“Like I said, I’m from Cookeville, so Knoxville really is like coming home,” Akers shared. “Here at The Square Room in particular, everybody just makes it fun. Everybody who has come to the show is so nice and super supportive.

“When you’re doing something like music, that’s just a really special thing.”