Amble have come a long way from their humble beginning, playing cover songs in pubs for fun and a few free pints. Their meteoric rise continues to reach new heights, and tonight, they are playing to a capacity 11,000 people.
I must confess that I am a recent convert to their music, having been introduced to them by my son, but ‘Socrates Smiled’ has been an earworm, in the nicest possible way, ever since. I did wonder how the three lads’ modern take of folk would fill the vast chasm that is the SSE Arena. I need not have worried. What followed was a quite exhilarating gig full of joyous, uplifting melodies and songs based on universal themes that resonate, and had the audience singing along from the first.
Despite the ‘traditional’ source of the music, what is presented tonight is a very sophisticated evening, with multiple big screens and wonderfully choreographed background videos. In truth, the evening is a bit of a mini festival, with not one, but two stellar support acts.
Muireann Bradley continues to delight on each occasion I have seen her. She has a growing confidence on stage, and her delivery of old blues numbers, such as ‘Candyman’ and wizardry on the fret board, belie her tender age. A sensitive reading of the Jackson Browne standard, ‘These Days’, is an absolute treat, and her first recorded original material, ‘No Name Blues’, augurs well for the Donegal native.
Bear’s Den were a band I, and many others, thought would be the next big thing, following the release of their startling album, ‘Islands’, back in 2010. It still hasn’t really happened for the band, which is a real shame, and tonight’s set again showed what a real talent they are. Local man, Ciaran Lavery, made a guest appearance to applause from the crowd, and melodic pleasers such as ‘Above the Clouds of Pompeii’ and ‘Agape’ won the crowd over with ease.
But it was Amble the crowd had paid to see, and they erupted when the band hit the stage promptly at 9.00 pm.
There seems to be a bond between the band and the fans from the off. Robbie told the crowd that Oisín had surveyed the vast Hall as they took the stage, and said ‘You write a few songs, and then you get this’! He also added: ‘that Belfast had a special place in the band’s heart, and each visit, the venue had gotten bigger, ‘the Limelight, The Telegraph, Custom House Square, and now….’
The three men are supplemented by a growing number of backing musicians, building to a bewildering cast of talents and instruments. There is an embarrassment of musical flair on stage, creating a magnificent crescendo of noise. Special note for Sean McKeown on uilleann pipes for a bravado turn on ‘Like the Piper’. Wonderful stuff!
The country tinged cover of ‘Jersey Giants’, with the fiddle to the fore, turns the huge area into a massive hoe-down, and everywhere you look, there are laughs and smiles, and most of all, singing. The songs of Amble are deceptively simple, but on stage, they are delivered with wonderful execution, passion and panache. And it’s that simplicity that hits home with the audience. Songs of days past and longing like ‘Lonely Island’, and ‘Mariner’s Boy’, are balanced by calls to celebrate those dearest to us, while we still have them, in ‘Hand me Downs’
Robbie Cunningham possesses a wonderful, unique voice, with a rasp that draws the listener in, being as soft and tender on ballads like ‘The Rarest Hour’, and beguilingly enticing to sing along to on ‘Treetops Wings’. On ‘Marley Park’ Robbie manages both in the one song, and such a song it is!
But this is a real band, and the three take turns introducing the songs.
The ease and fun the band is having on stage seeps into the crowd. Posing at times like an axe man from a heavy metal band, Ross McNerney may find himself being ejected from the banjo player’s union! ‘Socrates Smiled’ is given a fabulous treatment, and will now remain, happily, as my earworm for another while!
Song after glorious song, ‘Little White Chapel’, ‘Judy’s heels’, ‘Tonnata’, all delivered with panache and to great acclaim.
Camaraderie, Craic and the Compassion evident in the songs and the playing are a heady mix
Incredible to think the band have only one album and two EPs to their name, as they produce one ‘banger’ after another. I remember thinking, What are they keeping back for an encore? Again, no need to worry, the lads had it sussed!
They walk back on stage, again to another deafening roar from the crowd, as Robbie asks, ‘We have time for one more, if you’ll have us’?
‘Swansong’ is a fitting finale
I raise a glass for every note
For every distant dream in hope
That it may find
The change they seek
In their mind
With the power of the Pogues and the passion of the Dubliners, this is a band destined for greatness.
The audience might have ambled in, but they left dancing and singing, after a magical night of music and emotion, which will stay long in the memory.