At precisely 10 o’clock yesterday, the tricolor ribbon, symbolizing the inauguration of the MIDEM, was neatly cut by Frédéric Mitterrand, Minister of Culture. Until January 26, 2011, the foremost representatives and players in the music industry will gather at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. Intense negotiations will be conducted, all to discover the year’s talents, those you will listen to endlessly, if only through radio and television.
In the presence of the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, Francis Lamy, and the Mayor of Cannes, Bernard Brochand, the Minister of Culture, Frédéric Mitterrand, began his morning with a studious visit to the stands presented inside the Palais des Festivals, not forgetting to exchange a few words with their representatives.
During the subsequent press conference, the Minister of Culture expressed his “great satisfaction” with this new edition of the MIDEM, noting that it was for him “a moment of meetings rich in diversity and interesting exchanges.”
Cocorico, it’s the year of the “French vibes”
The “French vibes,” bringing together many French artists, was praised for its success and commitment by Frédéric Mitterrand. “Creativity was honored this year and made a shockwave worldwide. It is a comforting success for our French artists.” The minister supports young French talents, believes in them, and delivers his message: “we must love our artists more so that other countries will love them in return.” To date, nearly 22% of French music is sold outside our territory. A figure that the Ministry of Culture hopes to see increase in 2011. To this end, support for artists and music industries is also intended to be financial, with several million euros to be committed “in favor of creation,” assures the minister. A message that went straight to the hearts of the artists present that day: the Revolver, AaRON, and Medi.
However, Frédéric Mitterrand remains realistic about the current state of the music market, particularly regarding the famous digital sound. He speaks of the “decline of physical music, which has not yet been caught up by digital.” But remains optimistic, “2011 will be the year of constructions, we’ll create a renewal in the music industry.”
And what about Hadopi?
If there was one topic on everyone’s lips at the start of MIDEM 2011, it was online downloading.
It must be admitted, the arrival of the Hadopi law did not achieve unanimity among the French and many predicted its failure. Frédéric Mitterrand acknowledges this but speaks of a “political courage to break with illegality.” He now aims for renewal “in the development of an attractive and diverse legal offer.” Frédéric Mitterrand says, “we need to find new tools to promote legal downloading.” The goal remains the same: to preserve the rights of authors and all music players by taking responsibility. The minister deems it “essential to change the behavior of internet users, making them aware of the ravages of piracy. Illegal downloading should no longer give this image of everything free.”
That is why the “Young Music Card” was created in 2010. Haven’t you heard of it? Not surprising since the minister admits there was a lack of communication about it and, inevitably, results far from expectations. This card actually allows young people aged 12 to 25 to benefit from 50% discounts on online music services. The minister promises efforts and greater media coverage of the card.
The afternoon was filled with awards presented to three eminent figures in the music world: Rolf Budde, editor and producer, Yves Riesel, president of Abeille Musique, and the famous singer Christophe Maé. The three men happily received their distinctions.
A series of concerts by the “French Vibes” then lit up the evening in Cannes, and one thing is certain, it is not over…
