MIDEM announces 2016 dates: June 7-10. Can the conference reverse declining attendance on its 50th anniversary?

MIDEM has announced the dates of its 2016 edition, which will be its 50th. The music industry gathering will take place in the summer - following a successful and sunny edition in 2015 - between the 7th and the 10th of June. 

Jérôme Delhaye, the Director of Reed MIDEM’s Entertainment Division, stated: “It is a pleasure to be able to confirm that the next Midem will take place at the beginning of June 2016. This was always our preferred date but the popularity of the Palais des Festivals means that finding available slots to hold events can be challenging. We are delighted that together with the Palais des Festivals we have found a solution.”

However, whilst the new summer placement lifted attendees’ spirits, attendance was down 11% in 2015 over the previous year. In addition, Delhaye only recently took over the position of MIDEM’s Director following the departure of Bruno Crolot in July. 

Some in the industry have called for the organisation to leave Cannes altogether, since the city’s opulence and its prices work well for the thriving TV and advertising conferences hosted there but are an awkward fit for a shrinking music industry. However, given Reed’s ties with Cannes and the Palais des Festivals, a shift of venues seems unlikely. 

Can this beloved music conference fight back and start growing again? Decline seems inevitable in today’s climate, however the event has done a lot to change and shift to accommodate the important role technology now plays in the present and future of the music industry. In addition, attendees report that MIDEM remains a great place to meet people and do business.

(Andrea Leonelli)