NEWS DIGEST: Friday, February 22

9:46 AM GMT 22/02/2008

This year's WOMAD Festival will be taking place at Charlton Park, Marmesbury, Wiltshire on July 25, 26 and 27. The 2008 line up will feature acts from 36 countries across the world, including Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Squeeze, Roni Size & Reprazent, Boy George and Eddy Grant.Tickets are currently available from www.WOMADshop.com.

iTunes Live: The London Sessions kicked off yesterday at the legendary Air recording studios. Charlene Soraia, Jose Gonzalez, Julian Velard and Stephanie Dosen all played the first night of the two-week run of shows.

The full line-up looks like this:

22 Feb (Nizlopi, Soweto Kinch)
23 Feb (Alphabeat, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong)
24 Feb (Billy Bragg, KT Tunstall, Foy Vance, Leo Abrahams)
25 Feb (Daniel Merriweather, Estelle, Tawiah)
26 Feb (Charlie Winston, Natalie Clein, Tom Baxter)
27 Feb (Laura Marling, Mystery Jets)
28 Feb (Jason Mraz, Ron Sexsmith)
29 Feb (TBC)
1 Mar (Roisin Murphy, Tony Christie)
2 Mar (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Spiritualized)

Entry is free of charge for competition winners only. Head to www.ituneslive.co.uk for more.

Ringo Starr recently dropped by the sessions for The Zutons' new album and, according to saxophonist Abi Harding, dug what he heard. “I was sitting outside when my jaw dropped 'cos Ringo had just pulled up in front of me,” Harding revealed. “I was proper shocked and ran over to him and gave him a big hug.He came in and talked to us a bit and had a listen to a couple of songs that he seemed to like, he said he liked the way I played sax so I was made up all day".

Ulster-born multi-instrumentalist Paul Brady will play Fairport's Cropredy Convention on Friday, August 8. Over the years Brady has played with the likes of The Johnstons, Planxty and Andy Irvine. Tickets for the event go on sale on Saturday, March 1.

Johnny Cash's, The Fabulous Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings', Lonesome, On'Ry and Mean, are to be reissued and presented in a high quality, vinyl replica slipcase.

And finally...here, for no particular reason whatsoever, is David Bowie getting a karate lesson in 1975.