Ethan Maccoby and Alex Badanes, founders of Burwoodland, have built their flagship event Gimme Gimme Disco into a touring dance party that has sold more than 2 million tickets across 5,000 events in over 250 cities and 10 countries.
The company reports that its events have generated more than $30 million in ticket revenue and an additional $24 million in local economic activity. The duo began producing events in 2015 with Emo Night Brooklyn, a party built around a room full of people singing loudly to the music they grew up with.
Last month, Gimme Gimme Disco Fest returned to The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York, bringing a night of sequins, bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and disco classics from ABBA, Donna Summer, Cher, and the Bee Gees. The event has no headliners or major touring acts, a format the founders describe as audience-focused and replicable in any city.
“Thank you so much! We absolutely loved Gimme Gimme Disco Fest this year. We really leveled up on the visuals, the disco ball head dancers and the live music aspect. Rooftop at Pier 17 remains one of our favorite venues of all time. It’s such a gorgeous rooftop with the perfect view of the city and river, and no better place to celebrate your favorite genre.”
From Brooklyn to a national footprint
The event’s expansion began after an early Brooklyn show in a smaller venue sold well. Maccoby and Badanes said existing relationships with venues and promoters, built through Emo Night Brooklyn, allowed them to book Gimme Gimme Disco in city after city.
“After the first GGD in a smaller venue was a hit in Brooklyn, we quickly took it national. Our relationships with other venues and promoters across the country, built from working on other events, like Emo Night Brooklyn, allowed us to book GGD in city after city. Disco is so beloved everywhere, so we were confident it would translate outside of NYC.”
Production and playlist evolution
The founders said early Gimme Gimme Disco events were basic, built around a laptop and an aux cord. Production has since expanded to include dancers, visuals that change with each song, disco balls, props, and giveaways such as boas, necklaces, and disco glasses for early arrivals.
“We’ve hired incredible DJs that put on amazing sets and can really work with the crowd. We learned how often to come back to each city, how to structure the playlist. We’ve learned to give space to guests that get so excited they come up on stage to sing and dance. It’s really been a magical ride, and we are still learning, evolving and iterating after each show.”
Challenges remain. The founders said some shows underperform due to market conditions or timing, and playlist preferences vary widely. They noted that some attendees want more ABBA and others less, and that the event aims to serve both dedicated disco fans and casual listeners who know only the biggest hits.
Why live music matters
Maccoby and Badanes said live performance is essential for artists because it creates in-person connections that cannot be replicated on a phone.
“What I love most about live music is what it does to a room full of strangers. You can have people from completely different backgrounds, different beliefs, different lives, and for a few hours none of that matters. Everyone’s just connected. Through a shared love of music.”
“Yes I do think it’s essential. Getting people together in a room is just so special and can’t really be replicated while you’re at home scrolling on your phone. It’s so important to bring people together in person to connect, meet, interact.”
They added that attendees have met best friends, spouses, and partners at their events, something that would not happen while listening alone at home.
Marketing approach
The founders said marketing is not easy but is a key ingredient for long-term success.
