The Wild Evolution of Brooklyn Mirage, Learning from Failures at Electric Zoo, and Building for the Future – Josh Wyatt, CEO of Avant Gardner
In this exclusive episode of our podcast, Josh Wyatt, the CEO of Avant Gardner, takes us behind the scenes of one of the most dynamic and innovative live music venues in the U.S. With a focus on Avant Gardner’s flagship venue, Brooklyn Mirage, Josh discusses the company's journey, the challenges they've faced, and their ambitious vision for the future of live music. This conversation offers valuable insights into the creative and operational elements that make Avant Gardner a standout in the entertainment industry.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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Josh Wyatt’s Journey with Avant Gardner: Learn about how Josh joined Avant Gardner after developing a strong relationship with the company’s founder, Billy Bilstein, and how he took on the responsibility of leading the company in its quest to redefine live music experiences.
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The Unique Venues of Avant Gardner: Josh breaks down the special qualities of Avant Gardner’s venues, including the iconic Brooklyn Mirage, Kings Hall, and Great Hall, and how each space creates distinct music experiences designed to leave a lasting emotional impact on guests.
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Innovative Plans for the Brooklyn Mirage Redesign: Hear about Avant Gardner’s exciting plans to redesign the Brooklyn Mirage to elevate the guest experience. Josh reveals details about the redesign's concept, which aims to transform the venue into an “electronic opera house” that combines mystery, artistic expression, and emotional connection.
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Improved Venue Experiences: The episode dives into Avant Gardner’s commitment to improving critical aspects of the venue experience, such as security, sanitation, communication, and hospitality. Josh outlines the steps the company is taking to address fan feedback and enhance the overall experience for concertgoers.
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Lessons Learned from Past Challenges: Josh opens up about the management issues the company faced in the past, such as delayed ticket reimbursements and vendor disputes. He discusses how Avant Gardner is prioritizing transparency and accountability to ensure smooth operations and rebuild trust with their audience and partners.
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The Future of Avant Gardner and New Partnerships: As Avant Gardner continues to grow, Josh shares their plans to expand the venue’s global influence by reviving classic events, establishing new partnerships, and bringing exciting new residencies to New York City, helping to solidify the city’s position as a global leader in electronic music.
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Avant Gardner’s Vision for Innovation: Lastly, Josh discusses his vision for Avant Gardner to become the most innovative electronic music venue in the United States, with ambitions to expand the brand and its cultural influence well beyond the walls of their current venues.
Why You Should Listen
This conversation with Josh Wyatt offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of Avant Gardner, from its creative processes to the operational strategies that fuel its success. As Josh shares his vision for the future, listeners gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of live music venues and the role Avant Gardner plays in shaping the future of electronic music and entertainment. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a fan of innovative event spaces, or someone interested in the challenges of running large-scale live music venues, this episode is filled with lessons, inspiration, and a glimpse into the exciting future of Avant Gardner.
Stay tuned as Avant Gardner continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of live music, creating unforgettable experiences for fans while pioneering new ways to engage with the cultural and entertainment community.