Iggy Pop to deliver John Peel Lecture

BBC Music and The Radio Academy today announce that Iggy Pop will be delivering the fourth annual John Peel Lecture at Radio Festival 2014 in Salford on Monday 13 October.

Iggy, who hosts a Sunday afternoon show on BBC Radio 6 Music, will deliver a speech on the subject of 'Free Music in a Capitalist Society'. It will be broadcast live on 6 Music, and filmed for BBC Four to be broadcast on Sunday 19 October at 8pm.

Iggy Pop said: "I get the feeling that John was the kind of guy who would have done his job for nothing, as long as he felt great about it. So we have that in common. Examining his life, I was interested to learn that he found his voice in large part through his wanderings in America. Sometimes it takes strange circumstances to provide a mirror in which to find yourself. Anyway, he's done a lot to give others a voice, and that's the most important gift you can give. Here was a person with strong opinions and enthusiasms who wasn't defined by any system, because of that his show became an exciting location, kind of like a shop that's a good hang. So it was a social as well as a musical phenomenon."

He continues: "I've never given a lecture in my life, but on the day I'm going to attempt a discussion on the subject of free music in a capitalist society. This is a struggle which never ends."

The annual John Peel Lecture invites a notable figure from the music industry to shape a debate and create insight around music and music-related media. Taking its inspiration from one of the greatest radio broadcasters of all time, and a figure who perpetually challenged the status quo, the John Peel Lecture has been a part of the Radio Festival since 2011. The John Peel Lecture 2014 also marks 10 years since Peel's passing.

Iggy Pop joins a list of high profile speakers who have delivered the John Peel Lecture. These are The Who's Pete Townshend in 2011, who explored the implications of digital music media in an age of free downloads and a disposable attitude to music; Billy Bragg in 2012, whose speech explored how music and radio need mavericks to keep moving forward; and in October 2013, Charlotte Church delivered an insightful speech on the theme of women and their representation in the music industry.