Eventbrite

"Old entertainment was about escape. New entertainment is about belonging." Siddesh Pai's comment echoes the arc of my own career. In the early days of building fandoms around TV shows and films, we talked a lot about escapism. How could we invite audiences into rich fictional worlds to get lost in? But escape is leaned back. Fandoms are leaned in. The most creatively inspiring communities I’ve worked with don't just love the content... they love connecting through the content. Theorizing. Dissecting. Cosplaying. (I'm looking at you, Yellowjackets Hive). That shift from passive consumption to active participation is exactly what our proposed SXSW 2026 panel is about: The Death of Passive Entertainment – A Future for Participants with Julia Hartz, Kate Wolff 🏳️🌈 🐺, David Salazar, and me. If you still can't decide what you love more: The White Lotus or the meme culture around The White Lotus, this panel's for you. We'd love your vote. Link in the comments.

At Eventbrite, we know that pop culture isn't just consumed—it's lived. A song or movie will spark IRL activity like themed workouts, sold-out dining experiences or fan meetups (seriously, Love Island events jumped 4,950% in the past year). That’s why I am so excited to share our SXSW 2026 panel proposal: "The Death of Passive Entertainment–A Future for Participants" which takes a deeper dive into how fandoms are going from couch to crowds and creating powerful ‘IRL’ moments for fans. Got 2 minutes? We’d love your vote to help us bring this convo to Austin (Kate Wolff 🏳️🌈 🐺, Lupine Creative, Dani Calogera, David Salazar). 🗳️ Link in the comments!

Today I flew to San Francisco to sit down with Julia Hartz, the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite. She’s one of just 21 women who have co-founded a company, are still the CEO, and have taken it public. A truly rare achievement that is beyond inspiring. We talked about her journey from interning on the set of Friends to working at MTV during the early Jackass era, and how those experiences led to building a company that serves fandoms and niche communities at scale. Nearly 20 years later, Eventbrite is still innovating in a massive way. Julia’s story is powerful, and I can’t wait to share this episode with you all soon!

Raise your hand if you think we should do another mash-up? Ideas welcome 🤔

Having hosted more than 1,400 events on Eventbrite, Midnight Creative's Executive Director Ryan Wieczorek knows a thing or two about selling out spooky experiences. Read about how Ryan and his team increased revenue from ticket sales by 25% using our timed entry tool, selling ~160,000 tickets in the past year across their Haunted Tavern events. https://lnkd.in/eWF9M5gh

Last week, we hosted some of NYC’s most influential music venue owners, promoters, and tastemakers at Damballa in Bushwick for our second Off The Record event. The vibes flowed all night, but the panel was the undisputed highlight– featuring the supremely talented Milan Stoute, Quiana Parks, and DJ Mahogany in conversation with Petah Jay on everything from how to assess a brand deal to what it’s like to DJ for Doechii. Thanks to everyone who came out, our panelists for inspiring the room, and DJ Vonnie Mack who spun up the perfect soundtrack!

What does a celebration of freedom and Black excellence look like? Connection✨ Conversation ✨ Community ✨ Last month, Black&Brite hosted Juneteenth: A Black Professional Experience in Denver. This collaboration with Vibes in the Park featured intentional networking, on-site headshots, local vendors, and a powerful panel of Black leaders discussing the future of work and innovation. 📸 44 headshots taken 🤝 25+ speed networkers ⁉️ 1 question: When's the next event?

What if your side project became your main act? Meet Eventbrite creator, Ryan Wieczorek, whose experimental horror theater went from empty rooms to 380 cities! It's fascinating to learn about what makes a niche concept like Haunted Tavern work at such a thriving/profitable/expansive scale. The secret 🤫 : People crave visceral, human experiences that make them feel alive. Ryan's team discovered this by listening to honest feedback in bars after shows and betting everything on clarity. If people don't instantly understand your concept, they won't buy in. Read this month's "Small Business, Big Lessons" edition and see how passion, persistence, and the courage to change everything turned a niche idea into a touring phenomenon.

New tools to help you sell out your shows! When you use our new Lineup feature, your shows will be automatically posted on key spots across Spotify. It’s one of the ways we’re helping you reach fans where they already are. https://lnkd.in/eAg_qh2U

Curtain call on #NIVA25! It was an honor to gather with the nearly 1,400 attendees in Milwaukee to discuss the state of the live music industry and the shared challenges and opportunities facing the independent community. From the networking sessions and insights-packed panels to the buzzing conference floor and parties at iconic Milwaukee venues, two themes were clear: connection and community. We’re heading home filled with inspiration, gratitude, and yes– cheese curds. Thank you to NIVA - National Independent Venue Association and all of the venue owners, talent buyers, promoters, agents, and tech partners who spent time with us. See you next year in Minneapolis!