Article Contributed by Elliot Engebretson
Published on December 10, 2025
Leftover Salmon + friends | Boulder, CO | November 29th, 2025 – photos by Elliot Engebretson
Leftover Salmon’s return to the Boulder Theater on November 29th carried the kind of anticipation that only builds around a band with deep local roots and 35 years of playing music together. Leftover Salmon have been part of Colorado’s musical DNA for over three decades, and their relentless pursuit of musical creativity continues to blossom and unfold year after year. The band, founded by the indomitable duo of Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman and powered by banjo master Andy Thorn, bassist Greg Garrison, drummer Alwyn Robinson, and multi-instrumentalist Jay Starling, continues to stretch the creative boundaries of bluegrass and world fusion music.
After an action-packed night one featuring tons of sit-ins, heavy hitters, and plenty of Thanksgiving leftovers, the Colorado house lights dimmed and the room buzzed with excitement as longtime fans, families, old friends, and plenty of newcomers jumped with excitement, ready to boogie on down for Thanksgiving weekend. From the first notes, it was clear Leftover Salmon intended to make the night personal. Salmon opened with “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” into “Breakin’ Thru,” which immediately got the Boulder, Colorado crowd grooving and smiling ear-to-ear. Emmitt and Thorn traded melodies with the comfort of players who know exactly how to spark each other. Vince Herman smiled at the crowd, almost as if reflecting back on the 35 years of musical magic the band had curated over time. The shift into “Zombie Jamboree” felt like flipping a switch as the entire crowd leaned forward with a burst of energy while lights swirled around the majestic Boulder Theater.
The first set moved steadily through the wide terrain of songs the band has played over decades. “Gulf of Mexico,” off the band’s Aquatic Hitchhiker, brought a warm, sway-along nostalgia to the room. Renowned fiddler Jason Carter, known for his work with the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin’ McCourys, joined the band for “Salmon Scales,” off Salmon’s newest album release Let’s Party About It, adding his touch to the already uplifting track. In typical bluegrass tradition, additional members joined Leftover Salmon onstage for the remainder of the first set, with Rob & Ronnie McCoury as well as Bronwyn Keith-Hynes each taking a stroll in front of the Boulder audience. They dove into The Band’s classic “Rag Mama Rag” as well as other traditional bluegrass tunes, showcasing the extreme musical talents onstage. Salmon & Friends finally landed into some good ol’ Grateful Dead with “Cumberland Blues” to close things out in a whirlwind — fast, loose in the best way, and full of momentum.
Leftover Salmon is great for a million different reasons, but their blending of traditional picking with rock energy, Cajun zest, and jam-band improvisation long before “jamgrass” was a recognized term sets the bar for what bluegrass music can be in 2025 and beyond. Set Two opened with “Last Days of Autumn,” the perfect microcosm of their jamgrass pioneering roots. “Get Me Outta This City” broke the calm with a punchy rhythm that got heads nodding again. “Simple Twist of Fate” stood out as one of the emotional anchors of the night — the Bob Dylan cover was measured and sincere as Drew Emmitt delivered powerful energy while Thorn wove subtle lines around him that felt almost like a second voice. The mood shifted again with “Evermore” and “Mama Boulet,” off 1997’s Euphoria — earthy and spirited, with Vince Herman clearly having fun as he steered the songs along.
Midway through the second set, Jason Carter, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, and Rob & Ronnie McCoury joined the band once again, this time for some heavy picking on the Dead. “West L.A. Fadeaway” settled into a groove that invited everyone to sink deeper into the music, while “U.S. Blues” could easily be voted the high-energy point of the night. The closing stretch was pure firepower, with Dead favorites like “Me & My Uncle” and “Loser” coming alive throughout the set as the Boulder audience sang along to the timeless classics.
When the band returned for the encore, “High Country” felt like a perfect cherry on top of the memorable night — a song tied to the great state of Colorado, the community, and the band itself. The crowd sang loudly and danced in feverish joy on the cold, windy Boulder night. By the show’s end, it was clear why Leftover Salmon continues to hold such a strong place in Colorado’s musical identity. Their sound keeps evolving, but at the heart of what they do — the mix of humor, openness, serious musicianship, and a genuine connection with their audience — nothing has changed. This Boulder Theater run felt like a band playing for people who’ve traveled alongside them for years, each song another thread tying their past contributions to the current modern sound.
