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TESLA
Cleveland, Ohio (Northfield MGM casino)
February 7, 2026
by: Michael Strong
Nothing warms the bitter cold Cleveland winter than a white hot, good old Tesla concert.
After a brief medley of songs and a few images on the screen, making sure the nearly sold out crowd was worked up into a lather, the boys came out with all guns blazing literally, opening with “Modern Day Cowboy“. Tesla kept the hammer down, going right into “Hang Tough”. Briefly pulling the feels, next up “The Way it Is” and “Song and Emotion” complete with images of Steve Clark of Def Leppard.
“Forever More” probably the heaviest song of the evening, picked the pace back up leading right into “Heaven’s Trail”, showing that after just short of 40 years that they are indeed ready to kick ass.
After a brief solo by the criminally underrated Frankie Hannon, the band launched into the moody section of the evening with the brooding “Miles Away”, slow thumping “Changes” and retrospective “Caught Up in A Dream”.
“Call It What You Will”, even uptempo, tugged on the heartstrings with a beautiful video montage including every member, past and present.
The first notes of “What You Give” queues up the waterworks, possibly the second greatest song ever written. If they played only this song, I’d still go.
Bringing the glory to a close was their three biggest hits. “Love Song” is still as beautiful as the first time we heard it. “Little Suzi”, the song that started my lifelong love for this band. “Signs”, surprisingly was not the closer.
“Gettin Better” closed the night, which I honestly don’t know how it could get any better than a night like this.
Steve and Brian provided the pulse. Dave and Frankie supplied the beautiful cacophony of guitar heroics without getting self indulgent. Jeff sounded fresh, like the beginning of the “Psychotic Supper” tour. Taking every chance to preach the power of love, without sounding cheesy. Love will find a way and Tesla will be leading the charge.
Opening the evening with a set of familiar classic rock inspired songs were Fastest Land Animals. “Run and Hide” and “Bubble Candy” were set highlights for the few that got in early.
