Concert Review: Pink Talking Fish with Leon Trout at Off the Rails in Worcester, MA

Joanna Gleason
2 hours ago
3 min read

Although it was a freezing night with the temperature dropping to 8^oFahrenheit. On February 7, 2026, in Worcester, MA, I attended the Pink Talking Fish performance at Off the Rails Music Venue. It was cold but it was a terrific, heated night of music. The sold-out event was just incredible. Seeing people singing, dancing and acting crazy during the entire performance, made it easy to recognize that they were prepared for that night of electric, high-energy performances that blend the iconic sounds of these legendary bands.

The concert started at around 8:00 p.m. with special guest Leon Trout as the opener. The four-piece jam influenced rock band based out of Boston. and the fans loved the songs which were mixed with hard rock, funk, psychedelic rock and a drop of reggae tossed in there.

At Off the Rails in Worcester, Leon Trout delivered a well-balanced performance that combined energetic and dynamic musical selections for the audience. The group played different songs such as Paradigm, Big Chungus, Wizard of Mops, Control, Fading Lights, etc. Known for creating their own cover mashups with seamless transitions from one song to another, the group has changed direction with their latest album, Paradigm. Composed of Roger Dumaine (drums), Aaron Cram (guitar/vocals), Jimmy Geikie (guitar/vocals), Nicholas Votruba/Same Slotnick (bass), Leon Trout has shared the stage with several successful bands as Kun Fu, Bella’s Bartok, and others.

At 9:30 p.m. Pink Talking Fish hit the stage. Pink Talking Fish is a hybrid tribute band that combines music from Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish. With their remarkable lineup featuring the musical prowess of Eric Gould on bass, Richard James on keyboards, Zack Burwick on drums, and Cal Kehoe on guitar. Jody Ryan, who also leads a Rage Against The Machine tribute band, joined them on stage for several songs. Jody has joined PTF many times both on keyboards and as a singer. He is truly one of the greatest! Pink Talking Fish takes their music to another level. The musicians who formed the band have been playing together for 11 years and they are just phenomenal.

Looking at their energy on stage, there is no doubt that they share a profound love and respect for the music of the bands that they pay homage to, and their mission is to make people remember the debt they have to some musicians such as David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, Page McConnell, and Trey Anastasio, who made these extraordinary songs which after years and years are always fresh, invigorating, and original.

As usual, the Pink Talking Phish concert was phenomenal, and the band takes you on an amazing music trip, which is hard to duplicate. The band’s performance is always terrific. Each show is different from the last and takes the concert to new places each time. The success of the performance was not so much about the magnitude of individual songs, but it was about the whole.

The narrative of Pink Talking Fish is one that continues to evolve and their live show is consistently nothing short of exhilarating. Listening to the band in Worcester at Off the Rails Music Venue was an invitation to partake in the ultimate fusion tribute, a unique celebration of music that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.

Pink Talking Fish/ Leon Trout at Off the Rails in Worcester, MA, I love the show, and the concert was phenomenal, in terms of ambiance and attendance. This event was perfect for fans of progressive rock, jam bands, and eclectic musical experiences. Talking with some friends before the show, I met Kerstin Swenson and her adorable young son Noah Caldwell. They said to me: “We love music. Pink Talking Fish is one of our favorite bands. We are here to enjoy the concert.” Thank you, Kerstin, and thank you Noah, for supporting live music, and helping to keep it alive.