YouTube Theater in Inglewood just celebrated its second anniversary in September and while it might not seem like a significant milestone, Russell Gordon, vice president and general manager of the venue, said it certainly feels like one.
“It’s incredible to see where we are today because it feels like we’ve been on this amazing journey for even longer,” he said during a recent phone interview.
The 6,000-capacity theater, which sits under the same canopy but adjacent to SoFi Stadium just across the American Airlines Plaza, took a little extra time to open due to delays in construction and stops in production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officially opening on Sept. 3, 2021 with the Hollywood Black Comedy Festival led by Deon Cole, the venue has gone on to be recognized within the Southern California concert and events circuit as it has now hosted more than 200 shows including prominent artists from a variety of genres within the rock, pop, hip-hop, Latin, K-pop and country music worlds.
Artists like Jack White, Devo, The Isley Brothers, Pesado, Smokey Robinson, Motionless in White, The B-52’s, Lil Nas X, Rosalía, Tom Jones, Demi Lovato, Wiz Khalifa, Air Supply, Amy Poehler and Tina Fay as part of the Netflix is a Joke Festival and more have all graced the stage. Upcoming shows include English rock band New Order on Nov. 15; Spanish singer and composer Joaquin Sabina on Nov. 22; singer-songwriter LP on Nov. 24; Japanese supergroup The Last Rockstars on Nov. 29; R&B star Brent Faiyaz on Dec. 5-6 and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough’s “Symphony of Dance” on Dec. 29.
When conceptualizing the master plan for YouTube Theater, it was paramount for both the brand and the team to ensure that the essence of Inglewood was embodied. From the music and events to even the culinary offerings, every detail was meticulously crafted. The venue’s dedication to this vision has been evident, particularly with booking shows like two sold-out nights with regional Mexican and Latin pop artist Peso Pluma, who received an overwhelming response from fans nearby and within the neighboring communities.
“Los Angeles is a huge destination with so many different cultures and representation,” Gordon said. “So it was important for us to make sure that we had a diverse programming methodology. And for us as a team, it’s also keeping in mind that we’re in the heart of Inglewood, which is a very diverse community already. It’s important to us to make sure that we’re repping the community by finding artists like Peso Pluma, so that they have nearby destinations to easily catch them, and that it feels like a part of their home. The fact that we can bring the community together in that way, is a game changer and one of the most important aspects of YouTube Theater.”
For Gordon, what sets YouTube Theater apart is its ability to unite fans with artists. He said the venue accomplishes this by ensuring that every seat provides an intimate experience, with even the furthest seat in the house situated just 164 feet away from the stage.
Then there’s the food and beverage aspect. As the Hollywood Park campus continues to build up around SoFi Stadium and new dining options will be cropping up, YouTube Theater has offered a myriad of food and drink options, the most popular of which has been a classic music venue staple: chicken tenders and fries. According to the venue, it has sold nearly 10,000 chicken fingers since opening day.
They’ve also sold more than 100,000 Modelo beers, making it the top-selling beverage on site, followed by its LA Rita, which has sold over 16,000 drinks in mason jar-style glasses. Even with the addition of elevated cuisine including pastas, flatbreads and fancy cocktails, Gordon said the fans are still reaching for the classics. “That’s something we will never take away,” he added.
While originally constructed to host things like concerts and Esports events, YouTube Theater has diversified its portfolio by including things like the 11th Annual NFL Honors on February 10, 2022, the Billboard Women In Music awards show on March 2, 2022, and its upcoming role as the host for the “Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop,” a two-hour concert special that will be filmed on Nov. 8 and later aired on CBS on Dec. 10.
“Of course, we’re a concert venue first, but there is certainly a lot of programming throughout the industry and especially in Los Angeles that could use a shiny new home and we really strive to make it incredible for these events,” Gordan said. “We’ve been fortunate to host these events and I think that that goes to show that we have truly cultivated the time to build strong relationships in the industry and in the community to show them what we can do, and that they are taking chances on that now.”
When it comes to the future of YouTube Theater, the plan is to continue to bring the city of Inglewood together, and to bring attendees more of what they love.
“As this becomes a true destination in California, it’s going to be really exciting to see the kinds of things that we’re able to be a part of and that we’re able to do here,” Gordon said. “We want to service our evolving community in Inglewood, and that’s the main thing.”
YouTube Theater
Address: 1011 Stadium Drive, Inglewood
More information: Youtubetheater.com.
