EDM news
Brooklyn Mirage Sold to Pacha Parent FIVE Holdings: Rebrand to Pacha New York
If you thought the Brooklyn Mirage saga was finally over, after multiple summers of almost-openings, unpaid refunds, permit chaos, and bankruptcy filings (plus whatever 2023’s Electric Zoo was supposed to be), things just got a lot more interesting. And honestly, this might be the biggest shift we’ve seen in NYC nightlife in years with the introduction of Brooklyn Mirage Pacha New York.
On January 1, 2026, reports broke that the iconic Avant Gardner complex has officially been sold to the global nightlife heavyweight behind the Pacha brand: FIVE Holdings. This Dubai-based powerhouse is set to finalize a deal with Axar Capital Management to acquire Avant Gardner and convert the former Brooklyn Mirage into Pacha New York. This sale stems from a bankruptcy court decision that allowed longtime lender Axar to purchase most of Avant Gardner’s assets, including Brooklyn Mirage, at a discounted rate after its August Chapter 11 filing.
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Now, Pacha is far from ‘just another club.’ It’s a name that has defined Ibiza club culture for decades — twin cherries, pulsing rooms, unforgettable (and often questionable) nights. It’s an institution in dance music, credited with helping shape the modern super-club era and setting the tone for what “destination nightlife” really means at venues like Brooklyn Mirage Pacha New York.
So let’s unpack this:
Why this isn’t just another ownership flip
The Brooklyn Mirage had, for years, been the promise of what NYC could be: immersive production, massive outdoor rave energy, big-name bookings, and that unmistakable skyline party vibe. But over the past two seasons, things went sideways: shows were overcrowded and then canceled, permits were revoked, refunds lagged, and the company behind it all slid into Chapter 11.
Now imagine a hedge-fund-level nightlife brand stepping in with deep pockets. For some fans, that’s cash flow + survival. For others, it’s corporate takeover vibes. And if the rumblings in the underground are any indication — some are wary that a global brand will steamroll the DIY, community-driven spirit that made Mirage feel like our home in the first place.
Will it still feel like NYC?
That’s the real question. The transformation into Brooklyn Mirage Pacha New York could redefine local nightlife.
Pacha’s legacy is rooted in destination nightlife — a sleek aesthetic and crazy energy — which could bring fresh production budgets, even bigger international bookings, and global name recognition back to Brooklyn. On paper, that’s exciting. On the street, however, ravers are already debating whether this means old Mirage will feel like our space again, or like a transplanted club with its own identity.
And let’s be honest: there’s still unresolved baggage. People are still waiting on refunds (including me). Trust has to be rebuilt. A rebrand doesn’t magically erase the past, does it?
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So, what’s next?
Expect a chapter of reinvention. Brooklyn Mirage Pacha New York will bring new bookings, new production rigs, and (hopefully) no permit fiascos. But also expect the rave community to pay attention: because this will either mark a new era for NYC dance music culture, or just feel like a polished corporate makeover of a venue that was already struggling.
Either way: 2026 is starting with a seismic shift in NYC’s nightlife landscape. Grab your tickets responsibly, and maybe keep a side eye on permit applications from here on out — because at the Mirage, nothing has ever been straightforward.
Stay tuned. And let’s hope the dance floors get the justice they deserve.
Following last year’s electrifying Arizona debut, Breakaway Music Festival today announced the 2026 lineup for Breakaway Arizona, headlined by Marshmello, Kygo, Loud Luxury, ISOxo and James Hype. The two-day festival will return to Sloan Park Festival Grounds on April 24–25, bringing over 20 national touring acts across multiple stages. Two-day GA, VIP, Ultimate
VIP, and Space Deck Terrace tickets go on sale January 20 at 10am MST. on www.breakawayfestival.com. For those seeking the most premium festival experience, Space Deck tables will also be available by inquiry starting the same day. Fans who sign up for presale today will unlock early access to the lowest-priced tickets before they become available to the general public.
In partnership with Relentless Beats and Riot Hospitality Group, Breakaway Arizona will also feature performances by ALIGN, Angrybaby, Arthi, Cassian, Disco Dom (aka Dombresky), Dr. Fresch, Effin, Grabbitz, Jon Casey, Mersiv, MPH, SHIMA, Steller, TRUTH, and XANDRA. As part of Breakaway’s ongoing commitment to supporting local musical talent, Arizona-area artists DELATO, LEESH, and LIVVIEP have also been invited to join the lineup.
“We’re so excited to return to Arizona,” said Breakaway Co-Founder Zach Ruben. “After seeing the passion and energy from the community in our debut year, it became clear this was a place where Breakaway could continue to build something special. Partnering once again with Relentless Beats and Riot Hospitality Group allows us to combine world-class music with deep local insight to deliver another unforgettable weekend for fans.”
CELSIUS® will return to Breakaway Music Festival as the official Presenting Sponsor for the third consecutive year. The brand’s presence will include a variety of interactive fan experiences and complimentary product sampling to keep attendees energized throughout the weekend. Additional sponsors for Breakaway Arizona include Jimmy John’s, presenting the Silent Disco, along with BeatBox, Fumi x Cloud Nurdz, Hiyo, and NOYZ.
Breakaway Music Festival recently revealed its full 2026 schedule, totaling 14 festivals nationwide – a record for the brand. The tour will bring its dynamic mix of music, culture and community to two new markets, Houston and Salt Lake City, for the first time, with one additional festival city and date yet to be announced.
Breakaway Arizona will be the third stop on the brand’s 2026 festival tour following Breakaway Dallas which takes place on April 10–11 and Breakaway Tampa, April 17-18. The festival continues with Breakaway Arizona on April 24–25, Breakaway Atlanta on May 15–16, Breakaway Ohio on May 29–30, and Breakaway Minnesota on June 26–27. The tour resumes on August 14–15 with Breakaway Michigan, Breakaway Mass on August 21–22, Breakaway Philadelphia on September 11–12, Breakaway Carolina on September 25–26, Breakaway Utah on October 2–3, Breakaway NorCal on October 16–17, and concludes in Houston, Texas with Breakaway Houston on November 13–14.
Czech rising star THERA kicks off 2026 with a brand new remix of her single ‘Rewind’ by KNWLSY, out today and coming right on time ahead of her upcoming European tour supporting Jason Derulo.
After a huge 2025 supporting Loreen on a sold-out European run, THERA is now set for her biggest live moment yet, joining Jason Derulo on his ‘The Last Dance World Tour’. The run kicks off January 29th at Glasgow’s OVO Arena and wraps up on March 2nd at Prague’s O2 Arena, with major stops along the way, including London’s The O2.
“It honestly all still feels surreal,” THERA shared. “I’ve dreamt of playing arenas since I was a little girl… I cannot wait to perform in front of so many people and show this new era of THERA.”
She also spoke about how emotional the Prague show will be: “The thought of being able to shout Ahoj Praho! in my home city brings me to tears every time I think about it!”
On the music side, KNWLSY flips THERA’s August release ‘Rewind’ into a darker, club-ready remix, blending haunting melodies, driving energy, and her signature smoky vocals. The original track explored the cycle of love and pain in a toxic relationship, and THERA says it came from a real place.
“I wrote ‘Rewind’ about the never-ending cycle of a toxic relationship, where you know it’s wrong, but you can’t stop loving that person,” she explained.
With millions of streams already behind her and a rapidly growing international fanbase, THERA is stepping into 2026 with serious momentum.
Listen to “Rewind (KNWLSY Remix)” out now on all streaming platforms.
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International producer and label boss CASH ONLY joins forces with Syncia to launch an exciting new collaborative project, beginning with the debut single ‘Surrender,’ out 16th January on Famous When Dead Records. The release marks the start of a production partnership that unites their shared passion for bass-driven, bumpy Garage-inspired House music.
Syncia and CASH ONLY first connected when a video of Syncia performing at the iconic Back To Mine event for Days Of Disco at Pikes in Ibiza was shared with CASH by a friend asking for a track ID. The track was unshazamable, but CASH ONLY quickly discovered the artist behind it, leading him to sign the same track to Famous When Dead Records. Since then, the collaboration has grown into a full-fledged project where both artists explore and express the deeper, darker side of House music that draws on their formative Garage and Jungle roots.
Already in the studio, Syncia and CASH ONLY have a handful of tracks lined up for release, including one featuring the vocals of Elje, who has previously worked with Notion, Murphy’s Law, Wilfy D, and Jack Marlow. Their NU WAVE mix has already been featured on Scott Garcia’s UKG show on Kiss FM, giving listeners a taste of their upcoming material. The duo has performed live twice recently, first at ADE for Select Radio and more recently at Basing House in London, with additional shows planned throughout 2026.
CASH ONLY comments:
“I’ve worked with loads of songwriters, vocalists, and engineers over the past couple of years and spent a lot of time trying to define my musical direction. Working with Syncia gives me the ability to express myself across a deeper and darker side of House music, inspired by my own Garage and Jungle Roots. I don’t think I’ve ever worked in the studio with anyone who is more aligned to the style and direction I want to go in, and we always have fun! We often get distracted during sessions, firing tracks at each other and appreciating each other’s musical tastes, which helps to build momentum behind the creative process as we build tracks out.” I’ll keep exploring my own projects that are more traditionally House-led, but working with Syncia gives us both licence to deviate to tracks that are a little more underground.”
Syncia comments:
“Finding someone you love working with is rare. CASH gives me the freedom and bandwidth to explore new sounds and genres and is always there to help guide the process, pushing us toward making tracks that not only reflect the sounds we love, but that truly move a dancefloor. Our guiding principle is simple: will the track connect with the crowd and create a moment they’ll remember?”
Alongside this new collaboration, CASH ONLY is preparing to unveil the CASH ONLY Chronicles Tour. The video series, created in collaboration with Henry Fisher, son of internet sensation “Big John” Fisher, who coined the word ‘BOSH’, has already launched and is gaining major views online. It combines high-energy House and Garage sets with storytelling and witty video content to engage audiences in a fresh and memorable way. The international tour will follow, with dates still being finalised, and is set to include stops in Phuket, Bangkok, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Amsterdam, Ibiza, and Zante, bringing a fresh, fun, and immersive approach to live performance.
CASH ONLY has spent recent years defining his sound across club floors, festival stages, and radio airwaves, establishing himself as a leading figure in the UK electronic music scene. He has continued to expand his profile through performances at major festivals and venues, including Glastonbury, Hï Ibiza, Café Mambo, Defected Croatia, Reading, Parklife, and Back To Mine’s busiest event of the summer at Pikes Ibiza, showcasing his versatility and influence across multiple genres. His label, Famous When Dead Records, has consistently delivered standout releases, including UK chart-topping singles and collaborations with both rising and established talent.
Syncia, a UK-based producer and DJ on the global House circuit with a distinct Techno-inspired edge, has already made a significant mark with his past releases and performances. His debut on Taikomochi Records soared up the charts, with subsequent tracks topping Beatport and Traxsource Techno charts, and his EP on Release LDN further cemented his reputation. His three-track package on Dense & Pika’s Kneaded Pains also claimed top positions on Beatport, highlighting his growing influence. Having previously achieved Top 10 success with Inner City’s ‘Reach’ and producing a string of notable remixes, Syncia has built a solid foundation of industry support, including BBC Radio 1 plays and endorsements from top DJs. With regular performances across the UK and international showcases from Miami to Ibiza, he has proven himself a versatile and compelling presence on the global electronic music stage.
With ‘Surrender’, Syncia and CASH ONLY set the tone for a new collaborative series, delivering bass-forward energy, infectious grooves, and fresh creative momentum. Fans and DJs can expect more releases in the coming months, further cementing both artists’ presence in the UK electronic music scene and expanding the growing presence of Famous When Dead Records.
Follow CASH ONLY: Spotify | Instagram | Website
Follow Syncia: Spotify | Instagram | Beatport
Follow Famous When Dead Records: Instagram | Beatport | Traxsource
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