The lowdown from Midem.(DOOLEY'S DIARY)

Remember where you heard it: While most of us were freezing in subzero temperatures in chilly or Blighty, some 10,000 lucky executives could enjoy the sunshine of Cannes for the 40th Midem conference last week. The five-clay event started with the usual tales of lost luggage and overbooked flights, but most people made it in the end. One of the first attractions was a dry and rather pithy address by EMI Group chairman Eric Nicoli, who thanked the MidemNet organisers for their choice of main image to promote the conference--the back of a bald, but pony-tailed, head (pictured). "I see they have decided to show you what I look like from behind," he quipped. Nicoli refused to be drawn on one of the topics of the day, though--would EMI and Warner still be separate in a year's time. "Yes or no," was his answer to the question of his interviewer, MW's own publisher Ajax Scott. On another topic, Nicoli also paraphrased a certain Mr AI Capone, who once said, "You get a long way with a smile, but you get a lot further with a gun and a smile"--"What [Capone] meant, of course, was that the multi-media approach increases your chances of success," insisted Nicoli ... Dooley did not have the best of Midems, having to watch his female companion sneak a snog from both James Blunt (at the NRJ Awards) and Robbie Williams (in the Carlton bar). Blimey, one would have been enough ... The Carlton Hotel bar appeared to have taken over from the Martinez as the bar for the masses, crammed full for most of the week, while the Martinez remained relatively calm (at the beginning of the week, at least). One evening even saw impromptu London Records reunion, with Nick Raphael, Christian Tattersfield and Roger Ames, among others, cramming into the Carlton's Champagne Ban Ames found himself usurped at one point though, one of Cannes' less-alluring hookers popping in for a quick rest in his seat after Ames had stood up for a brief moment ... The other favoured drinking hole was the Pias bar, on the beach in front of the Majestic, which was the venue for much celebrating on the Monday night after the figures for the Arctic Monkeys' album (sold in by Pias-owned Vital) came in. "Monkey beer" was consumed by the crate ... And, of course, Cannes wouldn't be Cannes without the multi-course dinners. Perhaps the most lavish was the 40th anniversary dinner on Monday night, which saw endless courses--including more foie gras than Dooley could ever lift, let alone eat--and the biggest chocolate birthday cake Dooley had ever seen. All slightly uncomfortable given that the honourees on the night were the three Band Aid trustees, all recognised for their work to fight famine. Ahem ... In fact, Bob Geldof was a common sight around Cannes last week and it was nice to see he has the same irreverent attitude to politicians all over the world. When French culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres mentioned the Boomtown Rats classic I Don't Like Mondays when presenting Geldof with his medal of honour from the French Government, the charismatic singer immediately challenged him to sing it. Calling his bluff, Donnedieu de Vabres replied that they should get a piano and do a duet. Fortunately, it never came to pass ... On the subject of birthdays, the longstanding conference shared its bio day last Monday with MEF chairman Patrick Parodi (39 on the same day) and the Delays' bassist Colin Fox ... The British At Midem showcases were, as usual, splendid, attracting hundreds of music fans. Spare a thought for those at the acoustic showcase though, who battled for audience against the most spectacular fireworks display Dooley has ever seen, which was staged on the seafront at exactly the same time ... Throughout Cannes, ...