Cannes flashmob goes viral as Julien Cohen turns city square into open-air concert

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of MIDEM, the City of Cannes teamed up with pianist Julien Cohen to create a large-scale flashmob on Place du Général de Gaulle - and the result is already a viral hit, with over 11 million views on TikTok and more than 2 million on Instagram.

Filmed on 14 February after months of preparation, the performance transformed the city centre into a live stage set to a reimagined version of Viva la Vida by Coldplay, arranged by Cohen and Emma Kélalèche.

It all starts quietly, with Julien Cohen alone at the piano.

Then, one by one, musicians emerge from the crowd, gradually building the atmosphere.

A violinist appears from a balcony, children’s choirs join in, and the moment reaches another level when Canadian singer Raymond Salgado arrives in a horse-drawn carriage to take part in the performance.

What was designed as a surprise quickly turned into a powerful shared moment, blending music, emotion and spectacle, before ending in a large collective finale bringing together all the artists.

The project involved a wide range of local contributors, including the Cannes National Orchestra, the Conservatory, vocal ensembles and even local businesses and residents, who opened up their spaces, including balconies, to make the performance possible.

Captured with around thirty cameras, the video was released across Julien Cohen’s platforms - where he has built a massive following by bringing classical and live music into public spaces - as well as the City of Cannes’ channels.

With this initiative, Cannes not only marks a milestone for MIDEM, but also reinforces its image as a vibrant cultural destination where creativity meets the public in unexpected ways.