Mark Ambor Brings His Safe Haven of Rockwood to the Hectic Streets of NYC [Q&A]
Photos by Jessie Eshak
Mark Ambor isn’t just an artist on the rise—he’s a walking ray of sunshine, and it’s impossible not to feel his energy when he’s in the room. His vibrant spirit radiates as he prepares to step onto the stage at Irving Plaza, greeted by the roar of a hometown crowd, the air thick with anticipation. This moment is layered with significance—it’s a homecoming, the finale of his first major tour, and it’s all happening on his birthday. As he gazes out over the sea of familiar faces, Ambor smiles, fully immersed in the energy of a night that felt as monumental as it is personal.
About an hour before his VIP crowd flooded the GA floor, Ambor took a moment to reflect on his tour experience. Grinning, he says, “I’ve been looking forward to these two shows the whole tour. Tomorrow is the last show, it’s my birthday, and it’s home—so it’s all these things at once.” This performance at Irving Plaza marked a special milestone, combining the thrill of his hometown with personal achievements. There's something uniquely powerful about ending the journey where it all started. “New York City’s always been home,” Mark shares. “Ending it back at home... it’s gonna feel really good.”
Mark Ambor comes from Pleasantville, New York, and within that small town lies Rockwood—a place of refuge for him growing up. “Rockwood is actually a park on the Hudson River near where I grew up,” he explains. “It was the spot you’d go to when you and your friends had nowhere else to go.” He smiles, reflecting, “"It was a place you’d kind of go to a place to get away. These songs are written about home and the importance of home to me and how it’s made me who I am.” Everything about the show evoked the warmth and comfort of that special place. The stage, adorned with a rug, string lights, and warm-toned stage lights, filled Irving Plaza with a sense of home and familiarity. It was a space where everyone could escape, if only for an hour. Every detail, down to the piano Mark’s friend Eric helped build—signed by VIP attendees—invited the audience into Mark’s world, into the vulnerable, personal space of Rockwood.