Rockwood Album Cover, Curtesy of Mark Ambors Official Website
If you haven't heard the name Mark Ambor yet, you'll definitely want to check him out after this. When he first announced the Rockwood tour, I made sure to sign up for the presale. From the moment I was introduced to his music I knew I needed to see him perform live. Right away, I bought general admission tickets, which were sold to me at a very reasonable price— coming from a broke college student. A good friend of mine offered to drive us to the venue, which happened to be the Gothic Theatre in Englewood, Colorado. The venue was absolutely beautiful. If you're looking for a place that exudes a small, vintage, elegant gothic vibe, with stunning chandeliers, velvet drapes, and rustic wooden pieces, then the Gothic Theatre is the place to be. You're immediately enveloped by the cozy environment.
Picture curtesy of Mark Ambor's official Instagram page
The audience was packed tight into the venue, which made for easy conversation with those around you. Forming connections with like-minded people made the concert even more enjoyable. While waiting for the concert to begin, we enjoyed a playlist of songs from the early 2000s, including the song "Party in the USA." After the song ended, the lights dimmed, and the crowd was surprised with the opening artist, Kenzie Ziegler. Her voice was angelic, and each song told a story that was deep and personal to her. Kenzie was a joy to have on stage. She was vulnerable and real with the audience, which helped us connect to her and her music. Some of the songs she sang which happened to be my favorite included "Paper," "6 feet under," and "Anatomy."
Picture from Mark Ambor's official Instagram page
After Kenzie said goodnight, there was a short intermission while they set the stage for Mark Ambor. During that time, the audience enjoyed songs from the same playlist that had been played before Kenzie's set. We had the chance to experience the crew setting the stage and witness all of the props and pieces being put into place. After setting the stage, they dimmed the lights once again, and that's when 'Rockwood' started playing, which introduced Mark Ambor. When he stepped out on stage, he was full of excitement and sincerity. He immediately waved at the crowd, blowing kisses, making finger hearts, and smiling broadly. The first song he played after his entrance was 'Belong Together,' which prompted a wave of singing across the whole venue. I was lucky enough to be a few feet away from the stage, which made the experience even better. Mark Ambor took a break after the first song to thank everyone for coming out. He then explained the meaning behind the Rockwood album and what it meant to him, saying, "I grew up in New York. Rockwood was a park that was close to where I lived. It was the type of place you'd go if you needed escape. If you had nowhere else to go, if you needed space, or if you needed to think, Rockwood was always there. I wanted to make something that embodied what Rockwood was all about. Tonight I hope this concert can be your Rockwood."
Curtesy of Mark Ambor's official Instagram page
Mark Ambor played the entire Rockwood album, along with a few songs from his Hello World album. Some of my favorite songs from the night included 'Our Way,' 'Someone That's Better,' and 'Hate That I Still Love You.' It's hard to pick favorites since all of his music is so incredible. The highlight of the night came when he stepped down from the stage and stood in the middle of the audience to perform 'Hate That I Still Love You.' He was so genuine and real with the crowd. The joy was radiating from him as he sang the song with us. Overall, the concert was absolutely worth it. Mark Ambor's stage presence, his genuine connection with the audience, and the absence of over-the-top flashiness made the crowd fall in love with him even more. Don't make me beg—if you haven't already, listen to the Rockwood album, and please, if you can, try to catch Mark Ambor live. Trust me, it's worth it.
Written By Destiny Rundquist
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