MUMBAI: With MIDEM hosting 'French Vibes,' an eclectic line-up of hot, young Gallic talent took centre stage. "I think that a live concert programme that brings together Medi, AaRON, Cascadeur, The Chase, Revolver, The Bewitched Hands, Syd Matters and BB Brunes is worthy of any music festival in France," enthused MIDEM Director Bruno Crolot.

In total, MIDEM hosted 62 concerts and showcases including a MIDEM Talent set from Saul Williams in which he unveiled tracks from his latest album 'Volcanic Sunlight.'

In addition to performing to French Vibes audiences, the artists and their managers held back-to-back meetings with international companies. "The MIDEM experience for talent has to be about performing live and having the opportunity to talk business at an international level," said Bruno Crolot.

During his visit to MIDEM, France's Minister of Culture and Communications, Frederic Mitterrand, took time to present outgoing MIDEM Director, Dominique Leguern, with the French cultural award Officier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Thought Leaders share views With almost 100 keynote, conference and panel sessions taking place throughout MIDEM, thought leadership and debate abounded. Hot ticket appearances included internationally-renowned French DJ and producer David Guetta, who sold some three million albums last year and whose Facebook following is now at 17 million people and rising.

And underlining the international importance of the digital sector, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Michel Barnier, devoted his keynote address to his department's launch of a new public consultation concerning the future of electronic exchanges and the implementation of an electronic trade directive.