Bootleg: Beyond The Setlist. The Next Phase Of The Industry
Notes on live music, connection, and the emerging future, by Bootleg founder and CEO Rod Yancy
🎤 Sound Check
When major paradigm shifts occur, they rarely announce themselves with fanfare. More often, it feels like one morning we wake up and realize the world has changed.
If we weren’t paying attention to the signs, the new reality can feel bewildering, even disorienting. But looking back, the markers are always there.
Think about the moment CDs disappeared and mp3s took over. No one could circle the exact date on the calendar, but once the shift was complete, it was undeniable.
That’s where we are now in music. Over the past several months, artists have been leaving Spotify in a steady drumbeat. Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu were among the first.
Then came King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, whose incredible live recordings we’re proud to preserve at Bootleg. Not long after, Massive Attack joined them. Just last week, Sylvan Esso announced their departure.
And now, Daniel Ek himself has announced he’ll be stepping down as CEO of Spotify in January. The reasons artists are leaving vary: some point to payout structures, others to AI or ethical and political concerns. But the common thread is clear: artists are reclaiming control over their music and how it reaches fans.
The next phase of the industry is coming fast.
Soon enough, a superstar will make the leap, and when that domino falls, the pace will only accelerate. Fans are already growing tired of algorithmic sludge, and artists are realizing they no longer have to accept platforms that don’t serve them.
Live music performed by humans for humans is how music started and it continues on as the soul of the industry.
Forward-thinking artists are already stepping into the future, and at Bootleg we’re building it with them every single day.
🎟️ Backstage Pass
At Bootleg, we help artists capture and sell high-quality audio recordings and photographs from their shows so fans can collect and relive the moment, and artists can keep earning beyond the encore.
What’s Moving
We just wrapped another great trip to Nashville for the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) conference, one of the live entertainment industry’s premier gatherings.
It was an energizing few days filled with meaningful conversations, insightful panels, and incredible performances.
The week reaffirmed something we’re seeing across the industry: a growing appetite for innovation in the live experience. Artists, agents, venue operators, and brand partners are all exploring new ways to connect with fans, and that’s exactly where Bootleg comes in.
Our platform turns the fleeting magic of a concert into something fans can own, replay, and cherish forever. Following successful collaborations with Woodsist Festival, Cain’s Ballroom, and The Vanguard, we’re now expanding our partnerships with venues, festivals, and promoters who share our vision for collectible, lasting fan experiences.
As we look toward 2026, Bootleg is focused on deepening these relationships and scaling the model, building a new layer of value for artists, fans, and the live music ecosystem as a whole.
For those who want to stay close to our journey, we’re sharing insider updates on fundraising and business progress through a private Investor Insider list.
Click here to join and we’ll keep you in the loop.
🎵 Fade Out
Every era of music has its turning point.
The streaming age is giving way to a new more human phase, with artists and fans reclaiming their bond.
Bootleg exists to serve that shift, honoring the lineage of music shared between people for thousands of years.
The revolution won’t be on Spotify. It will be in the room, alive between artist and audience. Bootleg will be there to keep those moments alive.
With gratitude,
Founder & CEO, Bootleg.live