Strong Words - The Who guitarist Pete Townshend has urged Apple's iTunes to use its power to help new bands instead of "bleeding" artists like a "digital vampire". Townshend made the comments in BBC 6 Music's inaugural John Peel Lecture, named in honour of the legendary DJ. He also argued against unauthorised file-sharing, saying the internet was "destroying copyright as we know it". "The word 'sharing' surely means giving away something you have earned, or made, or paid for?" he said.

The talk, held as part of the Radio Festival, will become an annual event given by a different music figure every year. Held at The Lowry theatre in Salford, it is intended to be the music industry's equivalent of the annual MacTaggart Lecture, which is given by a leading media executive at the Edinburgh International Television Festival every August.

Olympic Countdown - London's Southbank Centre is to stage an international festival including singers Bryn Terfel and Baaba Maal, as part of the 2012 celebrations. Festival of the World, which will feature hundreds of artists, was inspired by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement. It will run from 1 June, the Diamond Jubilee weekend, through to the Paralympics' last day on 9 September. An urban beach and weekly food markets will also feature at the festival.

Jude Kelly, the Southbank Centre's artistic director, was involved in the London 2012 bid. She said, "The Olympic movement was and is about everybody having an opportunity to be the best they could ever be. We are putting out all kinds of invitations around the country for people to come along as participants in dance, visual arts and all sorts of different areas. I am hoping they will think of wanting to join in. I am hoping they will feel that the people they witness doing art and who are involved in culture are speaking their stories and understand something about your life."

No Shows - Adele has been forced to cancel all of her remaining gigs and public appearances for the rest of the year, as she undergoes throat surgery. It's another setback for the singer who has struggled to overcome vocal problems since pulling out of a tour in June. Rescheduled UK shows for November have now been permanently called off. A statement from her record company said she's expected to make a "full recovery".

Heavy Metal - Four organisers of a planned Indian gig by US rock group Metallica were arrested after the show was called off, leading fans to smash up the stage. The band had been due to play in Delhi last Friday. They said the concert was postponed after a security barrier in front of the stage collapsed. Dozens of angry fans then raided the stage and vandalised equipment. Police said on Sunday that four executives of DNA Entertainment Network were arrested on fraud charges. Alok Mittal, joint commissioner of police in Gurgaon, near Delhi, told the AFP news agency a member of the public had made a complaint after DNA Entertainment Network refused to refund the ticket money. DNA has since posted details of how to obtain refunds on its website.

(Jim Evans)


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