You can’t teach an old dog new tricks has once again proven to be a depleted concept in the jam space. Specifically for Leftover Salmon. The band, known for its 35-year tenure under the lights, unveiled a new live approach to covering songs during its set at the WinterWonderGrass Festival on Saturday, Feb. 28. 

Prior to taking the stage over the weekend, Andy Thorn spoke about the band’s history at the WinterWonderGrass Festival and the idea behind their debut of “Will It Grass?” In a conversation with Streamboat Magazine, the string player reflected on the group’s six-to seven-year stints at the festival, before hitting on the new concert concept: 

“And this year is going to be a little different. We are doing a special set, called Will It Grass? Like, will it become bluegrass, and we’ll let the fans request songs that they think we should do bluegrass style. So that’s going to be on Saturday; that’ll be kind of fun. And then there is always a lot of collaborating with all the musicians there – that’s one of the best parts.”

Keeping the band’s promise for a first-of-its-kind set, Leftover Salmon appeared on stage and let the crowd guide the contents of their setlist. The group took songs that do not live in the bluegrass canon and transformed them into a new type of creative splendor, beginning with a reimagined take on Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” ahead of Green Day’s apt “American Idiot.” 

For their next cover, Leftover Salmon brought Men at Work’s “Land Down Under” into bluegrass territory, before proceeding with updated renditions of Traffic’s “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys,” and Flying Burrito Brothers’ “My Uncle.” From the late ‘60s, the band moved into the aughts via Alabama Shakes, “Hold On.” 

They continued their display of bluegrass expertise by reimagining Radiohead’s “Weird Fish,” before The Allman Brothers Band’s “Southbound.” Next, they picked Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills” and took the number out of its typical heavy metal boundaries. 

Dexterity was key to the success of the debut concept and was on display during a well-received take on Beck’s “Loser,” featuring WinterWonderGrass founder Scotty Stoughton on vocals. 

For their final deliveries, Leftover Salmon went with bluegrass-dominating takes on Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business,” and Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream.” 

After their performance at the WinterWonderGrass Festival, the band will take their talents to the Stoughton Opera House in Stoughton, Wis., for a night that will lean exclusively acoustic, before their highly anticipated three-night stand at Garcia’s Chicago. 

Tickets remain on sale and can be purchased at www.leftoversalmon.com/tour. 

Scroll down to view the band’s festival setlist.

Leftover Salmon

Winter Wondergrass Festival – Steamboat Springs, Colo. 

Feb. 28, 2026 

Set: Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden), American Idiot (Green Day), Land Down Under (Men at Work), Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys (Traffic), My Uncle (Flying Burrito Brothers), Hold On (Alabama Shakes), Weird Fishes (Radiohead), Southbound (Allman Brothers Band), Run to The Hills (Iron Maiden), Loser (Beck)+, Takin Care of Business (Bachman Turner Overdrive), Running Down a Dream (Tom Petty)

Notes:

+ Scotty Stoughton on vocals