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Midem QUICK REVIEW • Music Business
Harvey Goldsmith raises concerns over lack of new festival headliners Renowned live music promoter Harvey Goldsmith discussed the future of the music industry during a keynote on the last day of Midem. He raised concerns over the lack of new stadium-filling rock acts and future festival headliners, and why the music industry is not collaborating better on these issues. Harvey recalled stand-out memories from his illustrious career, from booking his first tour aged 22, to working with Elton John, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rolling Stones, George Michael, and launching Live Aid with Bob Geldof. However, it was the problems he’s witnessed the music industry going through that led his speech. Record companies that “don’t en-
gage with the live business” and are at war with publishers and collection societies, while promoters “moan about agents” and managers “watch everyone fight each other” results in a needlessly fragmented business, he said, all the while, “a gaping hole” is appearing on the horizon due to lack of resource and attention going on developing the festival headliners of the future. “Where are the new global rock acts? Where is the long term development?” Goldsmith asked. “The age of pop and dance is with us but it’s still transient. Downloads are being surpassed by streaming, with diminishing artist returns; and live shows are too expensive.”
However, as long as there are good performers and songwriters, the business will manage to “cut through all the crap”, said Goldsmith.”
Vivendi ‘very proud’ to own Universal Music Group
WIN further strengthens network in Cannes
Vivendi CEO Arnaud de Puyfontaine wants to grow the value of Universal Music Group from €8 billion to €25bn, and said the music label is a big part of the firm’s future during an interview on the second day of Midem. “Universal Music Group is an amazing company with an amazing track record, I’m very proud to have UMG within the Vivendi family.” de Puyfontaine’s vision for the future is about growing streaming subscription, capitalising on the potential of new territories (like Africa) and finding the Sam Smiths and Aloe Blaccs of tomorrow. “Music is like this sleeping beauty that needs a charming prince to create a wonderful new family,” he said. “Music is something everyone in the world shares, it creates emotion. In this new era, there will be platforms, opportunities and expertise [that create the] right formula to start this amazing story.”
The Worldwide Independent Network met over two sessions during Midem and planned collaboration between other trade associations, so that all label members will have more support available to draw from. The projects agreed include sharing resources, offering help on performance rights and anti-piracy, and new services such as the ‘Friends of’ scheme. Said chair of WIN Alison Wenham: “Over twenty countries attended and the sessions, the first of their kind, were a measure of how strongly the independent sector is growing through a shared vision of the role of trade associations. In the years to come, WIN will have created the strongest network for indie labels ever seen.”
Photo taken at Midem 2014