Midem industry expo shuts down

Midem has been held annually in the city of Cannes, France, since it was established in 1967. It is the world’s leading music business event, which unites, connects, serves and supports the global music ecosystem.

The organisers cited the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and an internal review as the reasons for closing down.

“Due to the lasting pandemic and following a review of its activity, RX France has decided to no longer continue to organize the Midem event,” the email reads. “It is with regret therefore that we are cancelling the Midem 2022 edition, scheduled in Cannes from 7 to 10 June 2022.”

However, the email also noted a possible lifeline for the event, pending the outcome of ongoing discussions with the city of Cannes.

The email continues: “Furthermore, RX France and the city of Cannes are in exclusive and advanced discussions for the latter to take over the Midem brand. We will share more news of this in due course.”

Midem’s website has also been updated with a message announcing the news.

In 2020 and 2021, Midem was hosted virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Its final physical edition was held in 2019, with more than 5 000 delegates, including artists and industry professionals, among others. 

The event, however, has seen a significant decline in attendance over the years. In 2017 and 2018, the event recorded 4 400 and 4 800 attendees respectively, a sharp decline from the 10 000 participants in 2001.

RX France subsidiary Reed Midem, which previously organised Midem, has also been made redundant.

Earlier this year, Midem announced that its in-person edition would return in June 2022, promising “vibrant meetings, access to killer keynotes, unique gigs on the Midem beach and endless discoveries of new contacts, artists and services, leading to lifelong business relationships”.