Notes on live music, connection, and the emerging future, by Bootleg founder and CEO Rod Yancy
🎤 Sound Check
A few weeks ago I shared my thoughts on the pros and cons of raising capital versus bootstrapping Bootleg.
At the time, I was on the fence. The act of putting that uncertainty out into the world brought the clarity I was looking for.
Investors have been reaching out and major funds are doing diligence.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life and business is knowing when to push and when to let go. Sometimes you have to steer the ship with sheer will. Other times you surrender to the current that’s carrying you.
Right now, the current is clear. It makes sense for Bootleg to raise.
Money is a tool, not a goal. What matters is using it to expand the reach of artists, deepen the bond between fans and music, and keep the spirit of live performance alive for generations to come.
I believe this decision is the best move we can make to further this mission.
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⚡️ Live Wire
The industry’s moving fast. I’m just trying to stay tuned in, and share what I hear along the way.
📈 The Future of Merch is… Chart-Eligible
Ed Sheeran just announced that his upcoming album PLAY will be bundled with NFC-enabled lanyards that are chart-eligible, meaning every fan purchase can count toward official sales. It’s a bold move that shows how the industry is evolving: live experiences, merch, and physical-digital hybrids are now directly tied to chart performance.
At Bootleg, we know charting is one of the biggest drivers of an artist’s success. That’s why we’re actively working with Luminate to make Bootlegs officially chart-compliant. Soon, every Bootleg sold will not only preserve the energy of a live show it will also count toward the charts, giving artists the recognition, momentum, and leverage they deserve.
This is probably the component of our roadmap that I’m most excited about right now, and I can’t wait to roll it out in the coming months.
🔗Read the full article at Music Ally
🎟️ 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
Big week ahead as our team heads to Arrowhead Farms in upstate New York for Woodsist Festival, which we’re honored to sponsor. Festivals have always been a special container for the magic of live music, and we see huge potential for Bootleg to play a meaningful role at festivals worldwide.
This year, we’re proud to be Bootlegging all of the major performances, including personal favorites Panda Bear, Built to Spill, and Woods.
Our full team will be on site with an activation where fans can experience Bootleg for the first time and see how we’re carrying the legacy of music collectibles into the future. And most importantly, they can truly own and collect their memories of the weekend.
Huge thanks to our friends at Woods and Ground Control Touring for including us. If you’ll be out there, drop me a line here and come say hi!
🔗 See the Latest Bootlegs
With gratitude,
Rod Yancy
Founder & CEO, Bootleg.live
www.bootleg.live
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