Midem

Midem stands for Marché international de l'édition musicale. It's the world's largest music industry trade fair, held annually in Cannes, France since 1966. From the Midem web site: Each January, the global music industry’s key players meet in Cannes to do deals, network, learn about the sector’s future, and check out hot new talent. Today, MIDEM attracts nearly 10,000 delegates from almost 100 countries, from the recording, publishing, live, sync, digital and mobile sectors. It is as such the source of profitable new music business. Beyond its showfloor, MIDEM also offers high-level conferences, cutting-edge concerts and events, and numerous business services… One major issue at this years talks was the future of digital music and the physical CD. The traditional role of the big labels – to find talent, create and market the CD and distribute it to the consumer – had been overtaken by the internet. Some interesting reading over at the Financial Times of London (The music industry shindig) and The New York Times (Record Labels Contemplate Unrestricted Digital Music). And from Boing Boing, Big record labels contemplate switch to DRM-free MP3s? Cory Weeds is there and has been blogging about it (almost) daily. His blog's here. Photo: From Vancouver, Steve Dawson (Black Hen Music) on the right, and Cory Weeds (Cellar Live) taking care of business at The Canada Stand at Midem in Cannes, France.