Prelude Press
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Irish folk phenomenon Amble have released a new song just in time for the Holidays. “The Rarest Hour” is a gorgeously spare ballad that explores the bittersweet pull of nostalgia and indifference to time. The poignant new single follows the rapidly rising trio’s September Hand Me Downs EP, featuring the title track.
As wistful as it is comforting, “The Rarest Hour” opens on the rich voice of Robbie Cunningham backed by the autumnal strings of his bandmates Oisin McCaffrey (guitar) and Ross McNerney (bouzouk). He paints a vivid, poetic picture of the place he called home, before turning to the people who made it meaningful: “And those I grew up with, all around me / The names I remember, etched in sand / And the tide tumblin’ over to greet them / Call it summer, call it winter, in my hands.” Over four beautiful minutes, Amble warmly nod to the impermanence of place, of memories, and, even, of the beholder.
“The Rarest Hour” was written in the style of a classic Irish ballad,” says Amble. “It is a love song written for a place, through the changing seasons, from ‘long laughs’ by the water to storms ‘raging’ across the rock beach. The names ‘etched in sand’ recall how the tide continuously washes over what is and what once was. The song captures the enduring pull of home — especially to Irish people — and how looking back on your youth and what shaped your life is always bittersweet, as nothing is ever permanent.”
Amble is in the midst of an incredible run following their debut album, Reverie, which earned acclaim from the likes of NPR, Stereogum, Rolling Stone, and more. Upon release earlier this summer, the record clinched #1 on Ireland’s Official Albums Chart for four weeks, giving them the biggest Irish debut since 2019. Three of the LP’s moving music videos have since surpassed 1 million views — “Lonely Island,” “Mary’s Pub,” and “Schoolyard Days” — while Amble have cultivated a passionate global fanbase, translating into more than 147 million streams and over 150 thousand headline tickets sold in 2025.
Amble’s meteoric rise is a testament to their dedication: the trio only came together in late 2022 after quitting their day jobs as school teachers and a data scientist in rural western Ireland. Their captivating energy, descriptive storytelling, and heartfelt lyrics quickly enraptured audiences, and they haven’t slowed down since. Hand Me Downs marked the first time Amble worked with an outside producer — Philip Weinrobe — known for his work with artists like Big Thief’s Adrienne Lenker. Staying true to their roots, the band performed and sang every song live together, with room microphones capturing their true magic.
Most of 2025 has been spent touring, including their first U.S. arena tour supporting Hozier on his recent North American run along with festivals like Boston Calling, Electric Picnic, and Austin City Limits. While in the States, Amble stopped by Audiotree TV studios in Chicago to film a live session. Click HERE to view.
The Reverie Tour has sold out countless venues on either side of the Atlantic this year and is extending well into 2026. Amble is currently on a sold-out U.K./Europe tour, their biggest to date, to be followed by Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and, in June, a return to the U.S. Click HERE for tickets and tour info.
Amble on tour 2025/2026:
Nov 22 – Sheffield, UK @ Foundry [SOLD OUT]
Nov 23 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall [SOLD OUT]
Nov 25 – Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy Bristol [SOLD OUT]
Nov 26 – London, UK @ O2 Shepherds Bush Empire [SOLD OUT]
Nov 27 – London, UK @ O2 Shepherds Bush Empire [SOLD OUT]
Dec 04 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena [SOLD OUT]
Dec 10 – Belfast, UK @ SSE Arena [SOLD OUT]
Dec 11 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena [SOLD OUT]
Dec 12 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena [SOLD OUT]
Jan 29 – Tokyo, Japan @ Daikanyama UNIT
Feb 02 – Seoul, Korea, Republic Of @ Myunghwa Live Hall
Feb 06 – Singapore, Singapore @ *SCAPE The Ground Theatre
Feb 09 – Perth, WA, Australia @ Astor Theatre [SOLD OUT]
Feb 10 – Perth, WA, Australia @ Astor Theatre [SOLD OUT]
Feb 11 – Fremantle, WA, Australia @ Metropolis Fremantle [SOLD OUT]
Feb 13 – Brisbane, QLD, Australia @ The Tivoli
Feb 14 – Sydney, NSW, Australia @ Enmore Theatre [SOLD OUT]
Feb 15 – Sydney, NSW, Australia @ Enmore Theatre [SOLD OUT]
Feb 19 – Melbourne, VIC, Australia @ Forum Melbourne [SOLD OUT]
Feb 20 – Melbourne, VIC, Australia @ Forum Melbourne
Feb 22 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Hollywood Avondale [SOLD OUT]
Feb 24 – Wellington, New Zealand @ San Fran [SOLD OUT]
May 29 – Dublin, Ireland @ St Anne’s Park
Jun 15 – Las Vegas, NV, US @ Swan Dive
Jun 16 – Salt Lake City, UT, US @ Soundwell
Jun 17 – Englewood, CO, US @ Gothic Theatre
Jun 19 – Kansas City, MO, US @ recordBar
Jun 26 – Cork, Ireland @ Virgin Media Park [SOLD OUT]
Jul 28 – Cleveland Heights, OH, US @ Grog Shop
Jul 29 – Columbus, OH, US @ Skully’s
Aug 04 – Casper, WY, US @ The Gaslight Social
Aug 05 – Billings, MT, US @ Pub Station Taproom
Aug 20 – Limerick, Ireland @ Live at the Docklands
Aug 21 – Limerick, Ireland @ Live at the Docklands