Entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban has made an funding in Burwoodland, the dwell events company that produces themed nightlife experiences throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
Burwoodland’s enterprise mannequin facilities on “scene-based” music manufacturers reasonably than events tied to particular particular person artists.
The New York-born company, based by Alex Badanes and Ethan Maccoby, operates DJ-led occasion manufacturers together with Emo Night Brooklyn, Gimme Gimme Disco, Broadway Rave, and indie rock get together All Your Friends.
According to the company, Burwoodland produces more than 1,200 exhibits yearly – an common of round 23 per week – and has bought more than 1.5 million tickets so far.
Credit: 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 present group of strategic companions contains three names who’re very well-known in music biz circles: Izzy Zivkovic (Split Second) and Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl), in addition to Klaf Companies, 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 create superb reminiscences and experiences that individuals plan their weeks round. In an AI world, what you do is far more important than what you immediate.”
MBW understands that the seven-figure funding secured a minority stake in Burwoodland. With an common 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 at all times 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 strategy offers followers room to find new music, revisit previous favourites, and interact without having to observe one particular artist.”
“A scene-based strategy offers followers room to find new music, revisit previous favourites, and interact without having 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 essentially 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 different 80% actually matter, and so they’re usually underestimated. Many of our events act as a gateway expertise.
“For some individuals, it’s a re-entry level right into a style they cherished years in the past. For others, it’s an introduction to one thing new. By presenting the music in a enjoyable, inexpensive, and non-intimidating approach, we’re in a position to interact each superfans and informal followers in the identical room.
“Over time, that usually results in deeper fandom and elevated streaming, live performance attendance, and competition participation for the artists themselves.”
Burwoodland co-founder and co-CEO, Ethan Maccoby, instructed MBW: “We usually joke that we’re the tour that by no means formally begins or ends. We function year-round, fully exterior of conventional touring cycles or album launch schedules.”
The company collaborates with each Live Nation venues and impartial venues, positioning its events to fill gaps in venue calendars during times when artist touring schedules are much less busy.
“In these home windows, our events present constant, dependable enterprise for venues that also have to function week to week,” mentioned Maccoby.
“Our events provide one thing timeless: shared pleasure, collective nostalgia, and actual human connection. You’re not simply consuming content material, you’re collaborating in an actual second with individuals who love the identical factor you do.”
Ethan Maccoby, Burwoodland
Beyond its personal branded events, Burwoodland has expanded into promotional partnerships with main labels and artists.
Its Broadway Rave model has labored with Universal Music on promotions round Wicked’s film launch. Meanwhile, Emo Night 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 Were Young Festival in Las Vegas.
Badanes confirmed that Burwoodland is “presently in conversations with a number of well-known artists about producing official after-parties tied to their upcoming excursions/releases” and sees “numerous potential in that mannequin.”
Burwoodland has additionally expanded internationally by means of a licensing take care of Fever, the events discovery platform, which now produces Gimme Gimme Disco and Emo Night Brooklyn events in markets together with Singapore, São Paulo, and Madrid.
The new funding spherical arrives amid a booming financial image for dwell music events.
Live Nation reported report Q3 2025 income of $8.5 billion in November, pushed by over 51 million followers attending exhibits globally in the course of the quarter. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino mentioned earlier in the 12 months that 2025 was “shaping as much as be a historic 12 months for dwell music”.
Maccoby instructed MBW: “There’s numerous uncertainty in the world proper now, and on the similar time persons are spending more of their lives on-line by means of social media, streaming, and now AI. That’s making a stronger pull towards real-world, in-person experiences.
“Our events provide one thing timeless: shared pleasure, collective nostalgia, and actual human connection. You’re not simply consuming content material, you’re collaborating in an actual second with individuals who love the identical factor you do.”
At instances, Burwoodland has ventured into events tied to particular main cultural moments. Its Party 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 Brooklyn
Discussing Mark Cuban’s funding, Badanes mentioned: “Ethan and I began this company as a result of we all know firsthand how highly effective it is to seek out your individuals by means of the music you love. That sense of group formed our lives, and creating areas the place others can really feel that connection has at all times been our objective.
“Having the boldness of an investor as revered and achieved as Mark is an amazing honour.”
Maccoby added: “None of this might be potential with out our group. For a gaggle as small as ours, their creativity, ardour, and relentless dedication are the driving pressure behind every thing we do.
“I’m extremely pleased with what we’ve constructed and excited for what’s forward.”Music Business Worldwide
