An article in France’s Le Monde provides more details about Prince’s plans. According to Pascal Bernardin, who would be one of the partners in the project, Prince had spoken about the idea of running an artist-friendly festival already. He and his musicians are also big jazz fans. So the idea to put in a project grew from a series of meetings, leading to a formal submission recently.

The idea of Prince acting as artistic director of a jazz festival is a nice one, no pun intended. However, there are a number of serious obstacles. First, there are other very serious competitors putting in tenders. Secondly, the town of Nice itself could complicate matters. It is known that they want to reduce the amount they put into the festival, while at the same time attracting larger profile artists and also reducing the ticket prices. This sounds almost impossible. Thirdly, there is also talk of moving the festival into the city centre, which would doubtless meet resistance from locals and shopkeepers. Fourthly, I can only guess at the sort of  friction that could arise from a maverick talent such as Prince having to deal with the Nice local authorities. Lastly, the winning candidate would also have to contend with the Jazz à Antibes festival, a prestigious event that celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and is loved by musicians. In an unfortunate lack of foresight, it is held at the same time as Nice Jazz! Are there enough jazz fans in the south of France to support two side-by-side jazz festival at a distance of some 20 kms?

The idea is certainly an interesting one. But whoever wins the day – and one can only hope that they will have some new ideas to inject into the jazz festival formula – will have quite a challenge. Prince fans might want to look out of the most recent issue of Le Courrier International, which features his latest album as a giveaway.

Prince fans have been posting photos and reviews of the shows in Nice and Cannes. For those that are interested, here is the set list of the Cannes après-gig show courtesy of @schkopi:

Instrumental
The Jam
Thank You For Talkin’ To Me Africa
…Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
We Want To Be Free
Baby Love
When Will We Be Paid
Girls & Boys
Cream
Ol’ Skool Company (no info about PR intro and/or Zara)
Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine

For details, check Palm Beach Casino.

Our tip: Nearby hotels include the Villa Cannes Croisette and the Cannes Palace Hotel.

With Riviera weather, one of the world’ most glamourous beaches, the opportunity to splash around listening to some great electronic music, Les Plages Electroniques is a must-see this summer. The shows tend to sell out, so our tip is to book a ticket early (see the site below).

Read more: Plages Electroniques and Les Plages Electroniques on Cannes or Bust.

A lot has happened since 2000. The seed that was planted in Amsterdam, still home to MassiveMusic’s headquarters, started to branch out in 2004 when, again under the starry nights in Cannes: “We had business intercourse with some Americans,” jokes founder and CEO Hans Brouwer. As a result, MassiveMusic NewYork became a fact in 2005. LA quickly followed, opening its doors in 2008 and was soon working on tracks for high-profile clients. A year later, ex-MassiveMusic Amsterdam creative director Diederik van Middelkoop set up a Shanghai studio, becoming the first international music production company in China.

Earlier this year the company reached its ultimate highpoint when they were asked to do the music for Nike’s already famous football campaign ‘Write The Future’. Brouwer: “When we were selected to take part in this advertising saga, we realized this was the perfect crown on our 10 year anniversary.” MassiveMusic, being a music agency, specializes in writing and sourcing music for brands and their advertising campaigns, and for broadcast design and film.

The company chose a 10 year-old guitar virtuoso to star in their Cannes party teaser film. Brouwer: “Working in an industry that is focused on what’s new all the time, becoming 10 might be considered getting old. But when we see kids at the age of 10 master an instrument, we get excited. We thought this was a good way of saying: “Hey, we’re only 10. See what we can do in another 10 years from now.” Some 2,500 people are expected at the party.

MassiveMusic

Cannes party (c) Abd Rabbo

The party scene in Cannes is a whole side-business of its own. Initially what was intended as a way of giving a film a boost has become a highly-regulated industry run by professionals from the nightlife and fashion sectors. The parties have been scaled down considerably in recent years, with events in nightclubs or on the beach replacing the more extravagant splashes in villas on the hills. Something else that has changed is access to information. Lists used to be jealously guarded, but now people like me are willing to spill the beans on websites! So where to go in 2010?

Which Cannes parties in 2010?

For the moment, the two best lists I’ve found are Germain Pire’s spreadsheet and this Facebook page. The other way to get inside information is to hook up with a good publicist. They try and shepherd their talent to the right locations and therefore receive invitations to the more high-profile parties (the Weinstein party and Naomi Campbell’s 40th birthday spring to mind).

But if you don’t have the right connections, you can often buy your way in (this is Cannes, after all). Tickets to the opening night party are being sold for prices topping €700, with events at the Eden Roc going for €2000. But people in the business are well-advised to keep an eye on the day time receptions that are held in the Palais and International Village. They are often a great way to make connections. They are far more low-key, but if you’re trying to raise financing or get distribution in Japan, you need to have your wits about you. Plus, the drinks are usually on the house! Incidentally, my tip of the day is always to stay one drink behind the person you’re talking to.

For details about the latest parties, receptions and networking events, follow me on Twitter. If you have an event you want to promote, drop a message below.

The photo of a party at the 3.14 hotel was taken by Abd Rabbo.

It’s a fun idea and worth supporting (and by the way, they also accept corporate shillings as sponsorship – see the site).  Details and the submission form can be found here. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Yes, everything is possible at Cannes, even getting there for free. If you enjoy contests, the good news is that Cannes is often used as a prize. Villas with pools, red carpet premieres, exclusive receptions, beach-side parties; I don’t want to rub it in, but people do actually give all these things away for free. This year again, a number of companies will be throwing trips away.

One of the most fun ones is definitely Stella Artois, sponsors of the Cannes Film festival. They are running a campaign to find the heir to Jacques d’Azur, who had a weekend booked but is AWOL. The campaign is great fun. Start on Stella Artois.

Featured on our Twitter account recently was ad company OgilvyOne’s drive to find the world’s best salesman or woman. Check the video and details on OgilvyOne.

Chivas Regal is organising a contest. Unfortunately, I can’t find the direct link. See if you have better luck here.

UPDATE: Cannes Lions is organising a competition for young creatives called the Future Lions. They want yo to advertise a product in  way that could not have been possible 5 years ago. Sounds like a cool challenge. Get the details at Future Lions.

I’ll post more competitions as I come across them on the Twitter account and here. The best idea is probably to follow the Twitter account. If you come across any, let us know.

The Palm Beach is located at the eastern end of the Croisette. For details, visit Palm Beach casino.

The Cannes or Bust messenger bag ensures you stroll the Croisette with the brightest bag in town. It has a large and a smaller compartment and a discreet Cannes or Bust logo (in American typewriter no less). All this for €23.90 plus shipping.  Check it here. Not only does it look good, it’s made for delegates with plenty of room for folders, brochures or – why not – swimming trunks.