Councils have warned that the problem is increasing, with total losses up from £3.35m in 2014. Officials say that summer could be "ripe for criminals to exploit desperate fans", with a series of sporting events, festivals and Wembley concerts by Beyoncé, Rihanna and Bruce Springsteen all expected to be targeted by fraudsters.
Grounded - Eagles of Death Metal have been dropped from two French music festivals, after their singer reiterated his suggestion that security at the Bataclan was complicit in the 2015 terror attacks. Ninety people were killed at the venue last November when gunmen opened fire during the band's set. Singer Jesse Hughes suggested in March that some security guards may have known in advance about the attacks.
Despite apologising, he repeated the statements in a US interview last week. The Bataclan venue has previously condemned his earlier remarks as defamatory. "There's no denying the terrorists were already inside, and they had to get in somehow," Hughes told Gavin McInnes in Taki's Magazine last week. "During the shooting I went outside and the backstage door was propped open. How did that happen?"
Following publication of the interview, organisers of the Rock En Seine and Cabaret Vert festivals have dropped the band from their line-up, saying they are "in total disagreement with Jesse Hughes' recent allegations".
In The Money - Adele is reportedly set to sign a £90m record contract with Sony Music, the biggest deal to ever be handed to a British artist. The deal would eclipse the £80m contract handed to Robbie Williams by EMI in 2002 and would also be the most valuable contract ever handed to a female artist, surpassing the £70m record deal Whitney Houston signed with Arista in 2001. Representatives for the singer declined to comment when approached by journalists. But a Sony Music source told The Sun: "We've secured Adele, who's without doubt the biggest music star in a generation. This is massive."
Tom's Back - Sir Tom Jones is to appear at this year's Hay Festival - his first public appearance since the death of his wife. Lady Melinda Rose Woodward - known as Linda - died on 10 April in Los Angeles after suffering from cancer. Sir Tom will be at the annual literature festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, on 5 June to discuss his autobiography Over The Top And Back.
Author Julia Donaldson, TV presenter Chris Packham and actress Olivia Colman are among those appearing at the event. Sir Tom, who is originally from Treforest, Pontypridd, previously said he would return to the stage as "singing really is my best therapy". Writing on his Facebook page, he said: "It means a huge amount to be able to continue to perform for such a loyal and giving audience; your support has been uplifting and doesn't go unnoticed."
No Sale - Lady Gaga's childhood piano failed to strike a chord with buyers at an auction in New York. The upright, which she used to write her first song at the age of five, did not meet its reserve price. It was offered by Los Angeles-based Julien's Auctions as part of a Music Icons memorabilia sale at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Prince Tribute - Madonna led the tributes to the late Prince at the Billboard music awards in Las Vegas. She sang Nothing Compares 2 U and was then joined on stage by Stevie Wonder for a rendition of Purple Rain. The Weeknd was the big winner of the night, being given eight honours including Top Hot 100 Artist and Top R&B Artist. He dedicated his Top 100 Artist award to Prince, saying, "I love him so much. I didn't know him but he was very close to me. He'll always be an inspiration."
(Jim Evans)
