ELLESMERE Port singer/songwriter Ian Prowse is back with his traditional Christmas show in Liverpool.

Raised on the rallying cry of protest songs and influenced by the Celtic sounds that make Merseyside so unique, Prowse formed indie band Pele at the start of the 90s, who went on to release six singles and two albums before splitting in 1996.

Three years later, Prowse formed Amsterdam, but it would take another five years until they were signed to an independent label. During this time the band struck up a friendship with Elvis Costello, which saw them playing as his band on the Jonathan Ross Show and supporting his live gigs.

Amsterdam had a top 40 UK hit with their first single The Journey but it’s their song Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?’ that cemented Ian’s place in the hearts of DJs, songwriters and music fans alike. Radio 1 DJ John Peel was reduced to tears every time he put it on, openly crying live on air because of its connection with Liverpool, the city he loved. Irish legend Christy Moore then took the song on in 2009 making it the centrepiece of his album Listen

This year saw a 20th anniversary re-release of Amsterdam’s debut album, Attitunes, with Prowse highlighting his first set of songs to be released after eight years in the wilderness following the break up of Pele.

Prowse and his 13 piece band play The 02 Academy in Liverpool on December 11. Tickets: £18.75 available from: academymusicgroup.com/o2academyliverpool