MIDEM

MIDEM is an international event designed as a working platform for the music ecosystem: it’s a place to connect, collaborate, identify trends, and move projects forward, in contact with a wide variety of profiles (decision-makers, artists, innovators, start-ups). The event is presented as a “Global Meeting” where the industry comes together to envision the sector’s future developments.

In its current format, MIDEM combines content and networking (conferences, discussion formats, thematic sessions) with a more public-facing dimension through MIDEM Live. The program is structured into different segments (e.g., Academy, Agora, Connect, Live), allowing a seamless transition from a “business” focus to a “stage” experience without losing coherence.

MIDEM began as a true international market: from its very first edition, it was designed to bring together, in one place, those who buy, sell, and distribute music. At the end of January 1967, the Palais des Festivals hosted this first gathering, presented as a global event, with hundreds of companies and participants coming to compare catalogs, negotiate, and forge deals.

The choice of Cannes is no coincidence—the city offers an ideal setting for intensive networking, in a single location over several days. Very quickly, the formula of a concentrated event where business, talent scouting, and influence intersect became MIDEM’s signature, explaining why the event has left a lasting mark on the history of the music industry.

For decades, MIDEM has accompanied the transformations of the industry: initially focused on the circulation of catalogs and deals between traditional players, it gradually broadened its scope as the music sector became more complex. In Cannes, it’s no longer just about “buying and selling” music: discussions now include artist strategies, new intermediaries, data, and how innovation is reshaping professions. This shift is clearly reflected in the formats highlighted in recent years, particularly around entrepreneurship and tech, with dedicated spaces for startups and emerging solutions.

After the disruptions caused by the Covid period, a turning point came at the end of 2021: RX France announced it would no longer continue organizing MIDEM and confirmed the cancellation of the 2022 edition, while mentioning advanced discussions for the brand to be taken over by the city of Cannes.

The City of Cannes then officially took over and introduced a new format aimed at revitalizing this historic event in Cannes’ calendar.

In its current version, MIDEM is built around four complementary pillars: Academy, Agora, Connect, and Live, which allow for a week-long journey from training and debates to professional networking, followed by a concert program.

The Agora pillar serves as the space for discussions and conferences on major topics in the music industry, while Academy focuses on training and employability (masterclasses, round tables, workshops, testimonials).

On the Connect side, the event focuses on meetings, synergies, and business opportunities, notably with dedicated initiatives for recruitment.

Live embodies the performance aspect, with concerts at the Palais des Festivals announced as open to the public, supported by a dedicated ticketing system.

At the same time, MIDEM strongly highlights innovation through its Startup Village, presented as a space dedicated to technologies transforming music creation, distribution, and monetization (AI, data, new live experiences, tools for artists and labels).