Focus of attention on independents, as initiatives bear fruit.

One striking example of the changes within the business, as illustrated by Midem, was the string of initiatives designed to improve the chances of independent labels making an impact commercially.

Indies - who dominated a Midem event that attracts around 1,400 labels from all over the world - refuse to be cut out of the industry's future and took key steps to ensure this is not the case in Cannes.

Yet it is not just the indie establishment who believe independents are the future. The retail model that has turned eMusic into the second biggest digital retailer in Europe - after iTunes, naturally - is founded on indie repertoire, and not just because they are the only companies who will sell DRM-free downloads. President David Pakman says the service will continue to be alternative in spirit even after major deals are struck, to help differentiate itself from the rest of the retail market.

Midem also witnessed a key major label executive describing independent labels as "the lifeblood of the industry". Universal eLabs president Larry Kenswil said the future would see it increasingly "fall to the indies to find new talent", as the effect of the "long tail", along with declining unit sales in the US, would make it increasingly tough for artists to get signed to majors.

In turn, former Island Def-Jam artist Shaggy - now out of a deal - is a new member of the independent community and is clearly enjoying the experience.

"Take it from somebody who has been through three or four different majors, the game has changed," he told a press conference on Tuesday. "[Being independent] is liberation in many ways. When you are signed to a major, they will have you tied up lock stock and barrel, and they will make a deal with a download, with an iTunes or ringtones and then give you a ...