MidemNet Adds Tech Showcase And Major Keynotes

January 23rd to 27th in Cannes may seem a long way away, but the Reed Midem team has returned from one of those 5 week French vacations that make the rest of us jealous, and are hard at work putting together the international music industry gathering.

They've just announced that Ed O’Brien, guitarist for Radiohead, will deliver a MidemNet keynote on January 23.  Radiohead often say they have “tried to remain creative over and above the music” and  in 2007,  the band encouraged fans to decide how much they wanted to pay  for their new album “In Rainbows”.   1,200,000 fans responded on the first day paying an average of 6 EU.  During his keynote,  O’Brien will describe the initiatives the group has taken on the web and opportunities for fan relationship in the digital era.

A new MidemNet Lab initiative which Paul Brindley and Music Ally are hosting for MIDEM  will showcase the work of 15 music tech companies.

The entrepreneurs behind companies like Spotify (Daniel Ek), Topspin (Ian Rogers) and the Hype Machine (Anthony Volodkin) will play a role in the selection. Winners will showcase their work in a permanent exhibition space dedicated to the MidemNet Lab within the convention, as well as, free accommodations and a pass to MIDEM.

The application forms are now online and companies can apply free to apply until 27th October. Details are here.

There will also be a far less formal or official showcase of talents (aka the ability to drink heavily and talk coherently at the same time) as Topspin and Hypebot bring back their Midem Meetup. Details to follow.

As previously announced, MidemNet is now open to all MIDEM attendees and of course visa versa.   A the broader convention, Michael Gudinski, Founder and Chairman of the Australian Mushroom Group will deliver a keynote within the International Indie Summit.
 
Promoter, publisher, producer and label boss, Michael Gudinski is one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian music industry. This successful industry entrepreneur, who is responsible for Kylie’s Minogue’s global success, entered the music business in 1972 with the creation of the largest independent record label in Australia, Mushroom Records. He then developed a whole music group, which responded to the major challenge of today’s music industry: how to diversify and maximize revenue streams as an independent.