Listen Live
Donate
 on air
Schedule

KCRW

Read & Explore

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Events

Listen

  • Live Radio
  • Music
  • Podcasts
  • Full Schedule

Information

  • About
  • Careers
  • Help / FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Support

  • Become a Member
  • Become a VIP
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
  • Member Perks

Become a Member

Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

DonateGive Monthly

Copyright 2025 KCRW. All rights reserved.

Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
Cookie Policy
|FCC Public Files

Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA’s Bootleg Theater to close. Its stage was home to musicians like Phoebe Bridgers, Moses Sumney

After more than 20 years, an LA indie music institution is closing . The Bootleg Theater served as a space to nurture local talent and where up and coming artists made their debut. Mainstays included singers like Moses Sumney and Phoebe Bridgers.

  • rss
  • Share
By Madeleine Brand • Jun 23, 2021 • 11m Listen

After more than 20 years, an LA indie music institution is closing. The Bootleg Theater served as a space to nurture local talent and where up and coming artists made their debut. Mainstays included singers like Moses Sumney and Phoebe Bridgers.

It was also a place where big name artists could hop on stage with surprise performances, including a show three years ago when Fiona Apple performed with Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson. Russian band Pussy Riot also performed their first U.S. show at the Historic Filipinotown theater.

But after 15 months of no live shows, and an internal dispute among its property owners, the Bootleg has shuttered its doors.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Sarah Sweeney

    Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

  • KCRW placeholder

    Angie Perrin

    Producer, Press Play

  • KCRW placeholder

    Michell Eloy

    Line Editor, Press Play

  • KCRW placeholder

    Alicia Adams

    founder of The Bootleg Theater

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jason Adams

    founder of The Bootleg Theater

    CultureLos AngelesHand-Picked Music CaliforniaSmall Business & Entrepreneurs
Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand