Tesla Brings Classic Energy to Mystic Lake

As someone who’s been a Tesla fan since 1988, Friday night’s show at Mystic Lake Casino felt like a full-circle moment. I grew up in Sacramento, their hometown, and have seen them more times than I can count from New Year’s Eve shows in Sac, to Cal Expo in 1990, the old Arco Arena, and more recent shows around the Twin Cities like First Avenue, Medina Ballroom, and The Myth. Every time I see them, it brings back a wave of memories, and this night was no different.

This was the first of two nights at Mystic Lake, and from the moment they hit the stage, the energy was there. It was one of those shows where everyone knew the words, and the band fed off that energy all night. Tesla still sounds like Tesla no frills, no gimmicks, just solid rock and roll. Jeff Keith’s voice sounded just like I remember it, and Frank Hannon still shreds like it’s the late ‘80s.

The setlist was a great mix of hits, fan favorites, and a few surprises. The opened the night with the 80’s hits “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Hang Tough”They pulled out some cool covers like James Gang’s “Walk Away,” Supertramp’s “Give a Little Bit,” and of course “Signs,” which Tesla made their own decades ago. They played sing along hits “What You Give” and “Love Song” which filled the room A personal highlight for me was “Song and Emotion,” which they played beautifully. That song has always meant a lot, especially knowing it’s a tribute to Steve Clark from Def Leppard.

Towards the end of the night bassist Brian Wheat went to the mic to announce to the crowd that there is a birthday and the crowd took the bait and sang happy birthday to Frank Hannon, who turned 59 that night. You could tell it meant a lot to him, and it added a fun, personal touch to the show.

The band was tight, the crowd was into it, and the light show was solid without being over-the-top. It had all the energy of the Tesla shows I remember from years ago, and honestly, it felt like they haven’t lost a step. If anything, it just reminded me why I’ve stuck with them all these years they still deliver, plain and simple.