And with Songkick and last.fm - two firms to have emerged from London's startup scene - contributing apps to the new platform, yesterday's event was heartening evidence that European firms can work together to make a big noise in the global music industry.

BBC: Spotify goes apptastic

It was broadcast on national radio and TV stations and afterwards the small audience drummed the saucepans and utensils they had been asked to bring along to make a "big noise".

BBC: Kenya election: Musicians sing for peace