Townshend talks ‘Peelism’

Pete Townshend is to deliver the first ever ‘John Peel Lecture’ at the Radio Festival at the end of this month.

Staged in association with BBC 6music, the big trade event for the radio industry will see The Who guitarist take to the stage to deliver a talk called ‘Can John Peelism survive the internet?’. Quite obviously, this will focus on how artists can prosper in the digital age and whether the Internet can truly champion new music and underground artists in comparison to John Peel’s legendary radio show.

A BBC statement said: "In an age of free downloads and a disposable attitude to music, can creative people earn a living, and without radio, how can the 'unpolished' music that John Peel championed find an audience?"

The event will be held at The Lowry theatre in Salford on 31 October and will be introduced by Peel’s son and 6music DJ Tom Ravenscroft.