‘One of the UK’s most thrilling and underrated singer-songwriters.’ – Record Collector

Merseyside hero Ian Prowse announces his brand-new album, No Names, arriving July 3rd and with it comes the first single, ‘Keynote Speech’, out April 10th – via Learpholl Music.

Featuring special guests Elvis Costello, Steve Wickham, Damien Dempsey and Rosalita Prowse, Ian’s 14-year-old Scouse daughter – No Names is Ian’s 12th studio album and one that promises to be a landmark moment for an artist who has spent over 30 years making music to widespread critical acclaim.

“It’s rock, it’s roll, it’s Celtic soul,” says Ian. “We definitely haven’t repeated ourselves. For some fans this one will be the best yet – it’s got a bit of everything. Half the songs address the wider world; radical hope, protest songs if you like. The other half map out where my emotional life and memories are at in 2026. Just like Lennon used to.”

The lead single offers a vivid glimpse of what’s to come: politically committed, intelligent and gloriously catchy. ‘Keynote Speech’ is a rollicking, communal singalong built around a sax solo and a chanting chorus of “Enough is Enough” – a rallying cry against societal injustice, and one that couldn’t feel more timely. It is Ian Prowse doing what he does best: striking lyrics that double as sharp social commentary, wrapped inside an irresistible pop song.

“Keynote Speech is a communal singalong,” says Ian. “Like an exasperated, updated version of Lennon’s Give Peace a Chance. We recorded it in the same way too.”

Watch the video:

More news on No Names to follow.

Bio:

Ian Prowse’s journey in music began with indie band Pele back in 1991. The band signed to Polydor and promptly had a Number 1 hit in South Africa with ‘Megalomania’. The band’s relentless touring won them a huge cult live following, with multiple successful headline UK tours. They also opened for The Pogues and Del Amitri on their respective 1992 sold out tours. Along with their acclaim won on the road, Pele saw significant radio success, with their first four singles hitting the BBC Radio 1 playlist. 

Ian then formed Amsterdam in 1999 – while the millennium was a slow start for the band, everything changed in 2005. Their classic hit ‘Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?’ had John Peel weeping live on air every time he played it, and the track was then covered by legend Christy Moore and taken to Number 1 in the Irish LP charts. Amsterdam signed to London independent label Beat Crazy, their first single cracking the top 40 at no.32.

In the last couple of years, Ian has been inducted into the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame, sold out the 100 Club, and opened for Elvis Costello’s last three UK tours, along with shows with The Wonder Stuff, the Blow Monkeys and Damien Dempsey, adding constantly to his ever-expanding fan club. His last album was 2022’s One Hand on the Starry Plough.

Ian counts The Stranglers’ Jean Jacques Burnel, the late Janice Long, presenter Gary Crowley, Mick Jones and comedian Chris Addison as huge admirers of his songwriting.

Often referred to as the ‘Scouse Springsteen’ Ian’s incendiary live show has wowed crowds at Reading, Glastonbury, Beautiful Days and Kendal Calling – and can soon be seen opening for The Waterboys & The Wonder Stuff.