MIDEM 2025: THE MEETING PLACE FOR THE GLOBAL MUSIC INDUSTRY

MIDEM 2025 has established itself as a forum for reflection and exchange on the major challenges facing the music sector. Highlights included:

“Public Power vs Culture: Dynamics and Synergies” with David Lisnard (Mayor of Cannes), Benjamin Barbaud (Hellfest), Frédéric Leturque (Mayor of Arras) and Jérôme Tréhorel (Vieilles Charrues).

“Les Stades: Rôle Majeur dans l’Avenir de l’Industrie Musicale” with Marie Chalhoub (Stade de France), Olivier Baudry (Stade Pierre Mauroy) and Pierre Duprat (LDLC Arena).

“Impact des Artistes Français sur la Scène Européenne” with Ben Ling (Centre National de la Musique), Laurence Muller (manager of Phoenix, AIR, Nicolas Godin, Moodoïd, Lewis OfMan) and Jules De Lattre (United Talent Agency).

“Dynamic Pricing in the Music Industry: Challenges and Perspectives” led by Frédéric Longepée (CEO Paris La Défense Arena), Xavier Pierrot (DG LDLC Arena), and Olivier Darbois(DG Corida SA, President of Ekhoscènes).

“Droit d’Auteur et Live: Une Efficicience Nécessaire Face aux Enjeux Concurrentiels”: A debate led by SACEM, with Cécile Rap-Veber (SACEM), Malika Séguineau (Ekhoscènes), Louis Dampenon (Live Nation) and Christian Seitz (Gema).

“Metal for All: Un Genre Redevenu Mainstream ? A look at the rise of metal with Aurélie Vanden Born (Forum Vauréal), Becky Laverty (Roadburn Festival), Jael Koffi (Nuclear Blast), Haydn Britland (Northern Music) and JB Le Bail (artist, singer).

This year, in partnership with the media company J’ai un pote dans la com, MIDEM CONNECT highlighted the power of live entertainment to connect with audiences. Through exchanges and expert testimonials, several key themes were addressed:

• How does live music generate engagement?
• Behind the scenes of collaborations between talents and brands in search of the perfect feat.
• The challenges of supporting artists and audiences: mental health, inclusion, anti-harassment.
• The golden age of live entertainment and its new dynamics.

With a rich and diversified program, MIDEM ACADEMY offered masterclasses, roundtables, testimonials and workshops focusing on the key issues of training and employment in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI). With an emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR), this space encouraged the sharing of best practices and innovations to prepare tomorrow’s talent for the realities of the marketplace. A journey focused on the major challenges facing the music industry. Key themes included

• Inclusion and diversity: Fostering the emergence of new talent and exploring music as a vector of change for a more equitable society.
• Ecological transition: Understanding the notion of “materiality” and anticipating climate challenges for a more sustainable sector.
• Employability and entrepreneurship: Sessions dedicated to career strategies, new professional opportunities and best practices for success in the music industry.
• Mental health and well-being: Prevent the risks associated with passionate professions and propose concrete solutions for a sustainable balance in the music business.

Mentoring in 2025:

• Professionals: The mentoring program provided support and advice to the new generation.
• Students and young talent: Personalized coaching was offered through matching sessions with industry experts.

Thanks to MIDEM ACADEMY, 330 young professionals and students had access to excellent training, enabling them to acquire the skills and tools they need to build their future in the music industry.

MIDEM LIVE attracted over 12,000 festival-goers with sold-out concerts, and offered exceptional performances, bringing together emerging artists and headliners in a vibrant, immersive atmosphere: IAM & l’Orchestre national de Cannes set the stage ablaze with a masterful fusion of rap and symphony, while MIKA lit up the stage with her energy and emblematic pop hits, LA FEMME, YODELICE, ZAHO, RONISIA, IRÈNE DRÉSELand many others transported the audience into musical universes as rich as they were captivating.