How a Cleveland club became "The Ibiza of the Midwest"

Why it matters: The Flats East Bank club has become a go-to spot for movers and shakers thanks to its ability to attract the same high-profile performers as top clubs in New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Driving the news: Rap superstar Rick Ross is set to draw 1,000 people — tickets are $120 a pop — to the venue Friday night.

Flashback: FWD is the brainchild of local entrepreneur and Forward Hospitality Group CEO Michael Schwartz, who asked himself, "What if MTV spent $3 or $4 million dollars to build a nightclub in a shipyard?"

• With the help of partners Bobby Rutter, a lawyer who specializes in brand development, and Dante Deiana, a DJ with connections to the international EDM scene, the 15,000-square-foot venue with a pool, dance floor, cabanas and stage opened in summer 2015.

State of play: EDM is FWD's bread and butter. Festival headliners Steve Aoki, Deadmau5, Kaskade and Afrojack have all taken the stage before sold-out crowds of 1,200.

• FWD won the 2023 EDM Award for Favorite Nightclub Residency for Chicago DJ John Summit's stint during Fourth of July weekend last year, prompting Summit to label it "The Ibiza of the Midwest."

What they're saying: "We're an ice cream shop," Rutter tells Axios. "We make our money in the summer, but you spend the rest of the year looking forward to going back to that ice cream shop."

What's next: FWD will host 40 to 45 events this summer with Los Angeles EDM duo Lost Kings, model/DJ Kim Lee and Australian house producer Dom Dolla all on tap.