Entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban has made an funding in Burwoodland, the stay occasions firm that produces themed nightlife experiences throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
Burwoodland’s enterprise mannequin facilities on “scene-based” music manufacturers slightly than occasions tied to particular particular person artists.
The New York-born firm, based by Alex Badanes and Ethan Maccoby, operates DJ-led occasion manufacturers together with Emo Night time Brooklyn, Gimme Gimme Disco, Broadway Rave, and indie rock celebration All Your Mates.
In response to the corporate, Burwoodland produces greater than 1,200 reveals yearly – a median of round 23 per week – and has bought greater than 1.5 million tickets up to now.
Credit score: Philip Romano/CC
“It’s time all of us bought off our asses, left the home and had enjoyable.”
Mark Cuban on his burwoodland funding
Burwoodland’s current group of strategic companions contains three names who’re very well-known in music biz circles: Izzy Zivkovic (Break up Second) and Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl), in addition to Klaf Corporations, the funding and advisory platform from Downtown founder, Justin Kalifowitz.
Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and former proprietor of the Dallas Mavericks, mentioned of his funding in Burwoodland: “It’s time all of us bought off our asses, left the home and had enjoyable. Alex and Ethan know tips on how to create superb reminiscences and experiences that folks plan their weeks round. In an AI world, what you do is much extra necessary than what you immediate.”
MBW understands that the seven-figure funding secured a minority stake in Burwoodland. With a median ticket worth of roughly USD $20 (post-ticketing platform charges),
Burwoodland is believed to generate eight-figure annual revenues.
Burwoodland co-founder and co-CEO, Alex Badanes, instructed MBW: “The strongest music scenes are all the time evolving. They mix youthful, rising artists with legacy artists individuals grew up with, which retains the tradition feeling alive. That’s a giant cause our manufacturers have longevity.
“A scene-based method provides followers room to find new music, revisit outdated favourites, and interact with no need to observe one particular artist.”
“A scene-based method provides followers room to find new music, revisit outdated favourites, and interact with no need to observe one particular artist.”
Alex Badanes, Burwoodland
This philosophy appeals to music lovers who might not essentially qualify as “superfans” – i.e. the highest 20% of listeners who spend probably the most on music, and whom the music business has more and more courted as streaming development has slowed.
On this level, Badanes added: “The opposite 80% actually matter, and so they’re usually underestimated. Lots of our occasions act as a gateway expertise.
“For some individuals, it’s a re-entry level right into a style they liked years in the past. For others, it’s an introduction to one thing new. By presenting the music in a enjoyable, reasonably priced, and non-intimidating means, we’re capable of interact each superfans and informal followers in the identical room.
“Over time, that always results in deeper fandom and elevated streaming, live performance attendance, and pageant participation for the artists themselves.”
Burwoodland co-founder and co-CEO, Ethan Maccoby, instructed MBW: “We frequently joke that we’re the tour that by no means formally begins or ends. We function year-round, fully outdoors of conventional touring cycles or album launch schedules.”
The corporate collaborates with each Dwell Nation venues and unbiased venues, positioning its occasions to fill gaps in venue calendars in periods when artist touring schedules are much less busy.
“In these home windows, our occasions present constant, dependable enterprise for venues that also must function week to week,” mentioned Maccoby.
“Our occasions supply one thing timeless: shared pleasure, collective nostalgia, and actual human connection. You’re not simply consuming content material, you’re taking part in an actual second with individuals who love the identical factor you do.”
Ethan Maccoby, Burwoodland
Past its personal branded occasions, Burwoodland has expanded into promotional partnerships with main labels and artists.
Its Broadway Rave model has labored with Common Music on promotions round Depraved’s film launch. In the meantime, Emo Night time Brooklyn – the primary of Burwoodland’s ‘scene’-based membership nights to launch – served as a element of Yellowcard’s 2023 reunion amphitheatre tour, and operated because the official after-party for the When We Have been Younger Pageant in Las Vegas.
Badanes confirmed that Burwoodland is “at the moment in conversations with a number of well-known artists about producing official after-parties tied to their upcoming excursions/releases” and sees “a variety of potential in that mannequin.”
Burwoodland has additionally expanded internationally by way of a licensing take care of Fever, the occasions discovery platform, which now produces Gimme Gimme Disco and Emo Night time Brooklyn occasions in markets together with Singapore, São Paulo, and Madrid.
The brand new funding spherical arrives amid a booming financial image for stay music occasions.
Dwell Nation reported file Q3 2025 income of $8.5 billion in November, pushed by over 51 million followers attending reveals globally throughout the quarter. Dwell Nation CEO Michael Rapino mentioned earlier within the 12 months that 2025 was “shaping as much as be a historic 12 months for stay music”.
Maccoby instructed MBW: “There’s a variety of uncertainty on the planet proper now, and on the similar time individuals are spending extra of their lives on-line by way of social media, streaming, and now AI. That’s making a stronger pull towards real-world, in-person experiences.
“Our occasions supply one thing timeless: shared pleasure, collective nostalgia, and actual human connection. You’re not simply consuming content material, you’re taking part in an actual second with individuals who love the identical factor you do.”
At instances, Burwoodland has ventured into occasions tied to particular main cultural moments. Its Get together Iconic model capitalized on buzz surrounding Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour phenomenon, for instance.
Burwoodland’s flagship membership night time manufacturers embrace Gimme Gimme Disco and Emo Night time Brooklyn
Discussing Mark Cuban’s funding, Badanes mentioned: “Ethan and I began this firm as a result of we all know firsthand how highly effective it’s to search out your individuals by way of the music you’re keen on. That sense of neighborhood formed our lives, and creating areas the place others can really feel that connection has all the time been our function.
“Having the arrogance of an investor as revered and achieved as Mark is an amazing honour.”
Maccoby added: “None of this is able to be doable with out our staff. For a bunch as small as ours, their creativity, ardour, and relentless dedication are the driving pressure behind every part we do.
“I’m extremely happy with what we’ve constructed and excited for what’s forward.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
