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

"The level and distribution of underwater noise is growing at a global scale but receives very little attention, " says Dr Slabbekoorn.

BBC: Earth News - 'Noise pollution' threatens fish