In recent years, the international record industry has undergone widespread changes thanks to the latest developments in technology. Methods of producing and listening to – or rather 'consuming' – music have changed radically since the digital revolution. And the major players of today are the representatives of these new technologies, the software manufacturers, mobile phone operators, on-line music purveyors – and, of course, the Internet pirates accused of precipitating the current slump in the record industry.

From an artistic point of view, Midem 2005 may not be the most innovative event of the year. Other more specialised music fairs (such as Womex for world music and the Amsterdam Dance Event for electronica) give a much greater insight into emerging trends. But Midem has become an unmissable slot in the annual music calendar nevertheless. And, who knows, maybe the next big music discovery will happen via a downloadable ringtone?