Mark Cuban invests in music events company Burwoodland: ‘In an AI world, what you do is far more important than what you prompt.’

Entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban has made an investment in Burwoodland, the live events company that produces themed nightlife experiences across the US, Canada and Europe.

Burwoodland’s business model centers on “scene-based” music brands rather than events tied to specific individual artists.

The New York-born company, founded by Alex Badanes and Ethan Maccoby, operates DJ-led event brands including Emo Night Brooklyn, Gimme Gimme Disco, Broadway Rave, and indie rock party All Your Friends.

According to the company, Burwoodland produces more than 1,200 shows annually – an average of around 23 per week – and has sold more than 1.5 million tickets to date.

“It’s time we all got off our asses, left the house and had fun.”

Mark Cuban on his burwoodland investment

Burwoodland’s existing group of strategic partners includes three names who are very well known in music biz circles: Izzy Zivkovic (Split Second) and Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl), as well as Klaf Companies, the investment and advisory platform from Downtown founder, Justin Kalifowitz.

Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said of his investment in Burwoodland: “It’s time we all got off our asses, left the house and had fun. Alex and Ethan know how to create amazing memories and experiences that people plan their weeks around. In an AI world, what you do is far more important than what you prompt.”

MBW understands that the seven-figure investment secured a minority stake in Burwoodland. With an average ticket price of approximately USD $20 (post-ticketing platform fees),

Burwoodland is believed to generate eight-figure annual revenues.

Burwoodland co-founder and co-CEO, Alex Badanes, told MBW:  “The strongest music scenes are always evolving. They combine younger, emerging artists with legacy artists people grew up with, which keeps the culture feeling alive. That’s a big reason our brands have longevity.

“A scene-based approach gives fans room to discover new music, revisit old favourites, and engage without needing to follow one specific artist.”

“A scene-based approach gives fans room to discover new music, revisit old favourites, and engage without needing to follow one specific artist.”

Alex Badanes, Burwoodland

This philosophy appeals to music lovers who may not necessarily qualify as “superfans” – i.e. the top 20% of listeners who spend the most on music, and whom the music industry has increasingly courted as streaming growth has slowed.

On this point, Badanes added: “The other 80% really matter, and they’re often underestimated. Many of our events act as a gateway experience.

“For some people, it’s a re-entry point into a genre they loved years ago. For others, it’s an introduction to something new. By presenting the music in a fun, affordable, and non-intimidating way, we’re able to engage both superfans and casual fans in the same room.

“Over time, that often leads to deeper fandom and increased streaming, concert attendance, and festival participation for the artists themselves.”

Burwoodland co-founder and co-CEO, Ethan Maccoby, told MBW: “We often joke that we’re the tour that never officially begins or ends. We operate year-round, completely outside of traditional touring cycles or album release schedules.”

The company collaborates with both Live Nation venues and independent venues, positioning its events to fill gaps in venue calendars during periods when artist touring schedules are less busy.

“In those windows, our events provide consistent, reliable business for venues that still need to operate week to week,” said Maccoby.

“Our events offer something timeless: shared joy, collective nostalgia, and real human connection. You’re not just consuming content, you’re participating in a real moment with people who love the same thing you do.”

Ethan Maccoby, Burwoodland

Beyond its own branded events, Burwoodland has expanded into promotional partnerships with major labels and artists.

Its Broadway Rave brand has worked with Universal Music on promotions around Wicked’s movie release. Meanwhile, Emo Night Brooklyn – the first of Burwoodland’s ‘scene’-based club nights to launch – served as a component of Yellowcard’s 2023 reunion amphitheatre tour, and operated as the official after-party for the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas.

Badanes confirmed that Burwoodland is “currently in conversations with multiple well-known artists about producing official after-parties tied to their upcoming tours/releases” and sees “a lot of potential in that model.”

Burwoodland has also expanded internationally through a licensing deal with Fever, the events discovery platform, which now produces Gimme Gimme Disco and Emo Night Brooklyn events in markets including Singapore, São Paulo, and Madrid.

The new investment round arrives amid a booming economic picture for live music events.

Live Nation reported record Q3 2025 revenue of $8.5 billion in November, driven by over 51 million fans attending shows globally during the quarter. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino said earlier in the year that 2025 was “shaping up to be a historic year for live music”.

Maccoby told MBW: “There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, and at the same time people are spending more of their lives online through social media, streaming, and now AI. That’s creating a stronger pull toward real-world, in-person experiences.

“Our events offer something timeless: shared joy, collective nostalgia, and real human connection. You’re not just consuming content, you’re participating in a real moment with people who love the same thing you do.”

At times, Burwoodland has ventured into events tied to specific major cultural moments. Its Party Iconic brand capitalized on buzz surrounding Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour phenomenon, for example.

Discussing Mark Cuban’s investment, Badanes said: “Ethan and I started this company because we know firsthand how powerful it is to find your people through the music you love. That sense of community shaped our lives, and creating spaces where others can feel that connection has always been our purpose.

“Having the confidence of an investor as respected and accomplished as Mark is a tremendous honour.”

Maccoby added: “None of this would be possible without our team. For a group as small as ours, their creativity, passion, and relentless dedication are the driving force behind everything we do.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and excited for what’s ahead.”Music Business Worldwide