Image courtesy of Burwoodland
As nightlife competes with screens, algorithms, and endless content, Burwoodland is building its business on something stubbornly physical. They lean on full rooms, shared memories, and music experienced together. That vision has now drawn the backing of billionaire entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban, who has taken a minority stake in the New York–founded live events company.
Burwoodland’s model runs counter to the traditional touring economy. Rather than anchoring events to individual artists, the company develops DJ-led nightlife brands rooted in musical scenes. Its roster includes Emo Night Brooklyn, dance party Gimme Gimme Disco, Broadway Rave, and indie singalong All Your Friends. Together, those brands now account for more than 1,200 events a year across North America and Europe, with over 1.5 million tickets sold to date.
For Cuban, the appeal lies in consistency and cultural relevance. In an era shaped by AI and digital saturation, he sees value in experiences people actively plan around. Burwoodland’s events function less like isolated shows and more like social rituals, making nights out that feel essential rather than optional.
Founded by Alex Badanes and Ethan Maccoby, the company has quietly scaled with support from a group of well-known industry partners, including Brooklyn Bowl founder Peter Shapiro, Split Second’s Izzy Zivkovic, and Klaf Companies, the investment platform tied to Downtown Music founder Justin Kalifowitz. Together, they’ve helped transform a grassroots nightlife idea into a repeatable global operation.
At the core of Burwoodland’s growth is a belief that music culture thrives when it’s communal and accessible. By avoiding artist-specific billing, its events lower the barrier to entry for fans who may not identify as superfans, while still offering depth. Many attendees treat these parties as a way back into genres they once loved, or as a first step into something new, often leading to renewed engagement across streaming, concerts, and festivals.
Operating year-round and outside traditional touring cycles, Burwoodland has also become a dependable partner for venues, filling calendar gaps when touring traffic slows. That reliability has opened doors to collaborations with major labels and artists, from film-related promotions to official after-parties tied to tours and festivals. Internationally, licensing deals have carried its brands into markets including Singapore, São Paulo, and Madrid.
As live music continues its post-pandemic surge, Burwoodland’s rise suggests a shift in where value is created. The future may belong less to the name on the marquee and more to the collective experience on the floor, proof that even now, people still want to show up together.
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