midem quotes.

`At Midem 2000, record labels were exploring the possibilities of digital distribution and this year they are doing it. People are a lot keener now to put up their headline acts rather than just some back catalogue, because they can tell this is the way things are going' -- Charlie Carrington, head of marketing, Liquid Audio Europe

`It is nice to see quite a heavy UK presence this year and there seems to be a very positive mood as well. It is good to see the show isn't dominated by dotcoms like it was at Midem 2000. I felt that ruined things a bit and this time there is a lot more perspective' -- Tim Bevan, Sonopress general manager

`The music industry has got rid of a lot of the crooks. It's a lot straighter now and possibly not quite as exciting' -- Steve Bunyan, Union Square director of marketing

`I suspect the DTI couldn't mount a half-decent trade mission anywhere in the world for 6,000 [pounds sterling]. We need to look very carefully at funding certain [music-related] activities such as showcases, which are very important' -- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Kim Howells on the possibility of getting broader backing for initiatives such as the Best Of British showcase at Midem

`The more times you go to Midem, the more ...