Bootleg: Beyond The Setlist. The Festival Afterglow
Notes on live music, connection, and the emerging future, by Bootleg founder and CEO Rod Yancy
🎤 Sound Check
This past weekend was a milestone for Bootleg. We had the honor of sponsoring Woodsist Festival in upstate New York, a gathering created and curated by artists with a focus on delivering something truly meaningful to fans.
Festivals have always been more than just a string of performances. They’re cultural moments where music, community, and memory collide. They’re places where new artists are discovered, friendships are forged, and fans carry home stories that last long after the final encore.
Woodsist captured all of that spirit. The organizers (the band Woods, Ground Control Touring, and Impact Concerts) did an incredible job creating an atmosphere that was genuine, intentional, and deeply relaxed.
From legendary sets by Panda Bear, Built to Spill, Woods and more, to conversations with fans experiencing Bootleg for the first time, the weekend was a powerful reminder of why we started this company: the magic of live music, the connections it sparks, and the importance of giving fans a way to keep those moments alive.
One thing that made Woodsist so special was the real-time validation of our vision. The NYS Music’s recap of the festival perfectly reflected the ethos of what we’re building:
“Bootleg combines elements of social media that truly are reminiscent of tape trading and bootleg vinyl culture… an exciting startup because it feels like the people running it have the right idea: fans like to own their music and support artists.”
Moments like these confirm that Bootleg isn’t just a product, it’s part of a cultural shift.
The future of live music will be defined by deeper connection, real ownership, and sustainable support for artists.
At Woodsist, we caught a glimpse of that future.
🎟️ 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
As we head into Q4, there’s a lot to be excited about at Bootleg:
A new product update is about to launch, bringing more robust reporting and data collection for artists and their teams.
Several high-profile tours are in the works, with announcements coming soon.
Our brand refresh is underway, designed to align even more closely with the culture and community we’re building.
We’re actively pursuing international expansion and new festival partnerships, which we see as a major growth driver in the next six months.
And on top of all this, we’ve seen a steady stream of investors knocking on the door since announcing our intention to raise. It’s an exciting time, and I’m energized by the momentum we’re feeling.
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
Woodsist reminded us what’s possible when music, fans, and culture come together with intention.
As we head into Q4, we’re carrying that same spirit forward, building tools that honor the magic of live music while creating lasting value for artists and their fans.
The future is unfolding, and we’re grateful to be shaping it alongside you.
With gratitude,
Founder & CEO, Bootleg.live