The fined singers said the sanction was "unfair", while some internet discussion forums have said Chinese authorities are still allowing established stars to lip-synch at events. Chengdu officials said the fine was justified and ruled that their microphones were not giving out any signals during the performance in September.
Festival Update (1) - The last batch of tickets for this year's Glastonbury festival sold out in just over an hour on Sunday morning. Around 178,000 fans will descend on Worthy Farm in Somerset for the festival's 40th anniversary in June. Headline acts are Muse, U2 and Stevie Wonder. Other artists confirmed for the event include Madness, Vampire Weekend, Ray Davies, Jackson Browne, Orbital and Hot Chip.
Festival Update (2) - Rufus and Martha Wainwright are to take part in a tribute concert for their mother Kate McGarrigle at the Meltdown festival in London in June. McGarrigle, who died in January, was a renowned folk singer best known for performing with her sister Anna. Anna will also perform at the Southbank Centre show. Meltdown is being curated by folk veteran Richard Thompson. Rufus Wainwright told the BBC: "Apparently his first request was to do something for Kate, so I was very touched by that." Singers Lisa Hannigan, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Teddy Thompson and Krystle Warren will also take part in the tribute on 12 June. It will take place at 1630 BST to avoid a clash with England's first game in the football World Cup, which kicks off at 1930 BST.
Papal Bulletin - Britain's Got Talent star Faryl Smith and Pope Benedict will compete for a prize at the Classical Brit Awards, which takes place next month. Smith, 14, is the youngest artist to receive a double nomination and is up for the Young British Performer title, as well as album of the year. Her debut is shortlisted with Alma Mater's Music From The Vatican, which features the voice of Pope Benedict. The event takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on 13 May.
(Jim Evans)
