Australian music business to create strong presence at MIDEM: World Music Market 2006

Tuesday, 10 January 2006


It’s only a few weeks until dozens of Australian companies brave the European winter to attend the world’s largest music industry trade show, MIDEM, where the Australian Independent Record Labels Association [AIR], will present the Australian Music Pavilion from 22 – 26 January.

AIR, with the support of Austrade for the fourth year in a row, and APRA (The Australasian Performing Right Association) are providing the largest ever exhibition space and on the ground support for Australian independent record labels, publishers, music managers and distributors attending.

With some 65 Australian companies already having confirmed their attendance at MIDEM, and over 25 already confirmed to co-exhibit at the Australian Pavilion, AIR and Austrade expect to create a strong profile for the Australian music industry at this global event.

“In attending MIDEM we aim to provide a consolidated and highly visible presence for Australia’s independent recording sector,” AIR Chief Executive Officer Stuart Watters said.

“I think it’s incredibly important for Australia’s growth as a music exporter, and as a relatively small territory, that we take steps to ensure that we have a professional profile at this event.”

“MIDEM is also by far the most important business market for exploiting copyrights for the independent music sector, with the largest representation of independent companies globally”, he added.

Austrade’s extensive experience in assisting the independent Australian music industry will once again be of great value for companies at the Australian Pavilion, by coordinating the much needed business centre and providing on-the-spot translation services during business meetings.

Companies registered to attend via the Australian Pavilion receive full access to conferences, trade fair and concerts during the week, full use of the Australian Pavilion to do business, administrative support from the AIR / Austrade team, and on the ground support and advice.

Australian performers at this year’s MIDEM showcases include Sydney punk-jazz outfit ‘Aronas’, who were selected to take part in the Sonicbids Buzz Bands Showcase on Tuesday 24 January at the Martinez Hotel Ballroom. For more information see www.sonicbids.com/aronas

MIDEM: World Music Market runs from 22 to 26 January at Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France, attracting around 9000 participants from 90-plus countries for five days of conferences, trade shows, live music, showcases and parties, including the NRJ Awards, where James Blunt, The Pussycat Dolls, Lemar and Daniel Powter are among the acts confirmed to take the stage.

For more information about MIDEM see www.midem.com

For more information about AIR/Austrade activities and Australian companies attending the conference, please contact AIR on 07 3257 1838, email info@air.org.au or visit www.air.org.au/midem.

Media inquires:
AIR – Raynee Burridge Email: raynee@air.org.au
Tel: +61 7 3257 1838
Mob: +61 (0) 417 893 210 (not for publication)

Austrade – Simon Kelly Email: simon.kelly@austrade.gov.au
Tel: +61 2 9390 2077
Mob: +61 (0) 414 062 730