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08/08/2021

Tesla Live at Spirit Mountain Casino, Grants Pass, OR on 08/05/21 & 08/06/21 / Photos

By BRENT ANGELO // Tesla, Spirit Mountain Casino, Grants Pass, OR 8/5 & 8/6/2021 / Photos

With live music trying to come back after its long hiatus due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, its greatest threat right now remains the Delta Variant. Outdoor events feel a safer alternative to the full capacity indoor show, but the serious concern remains. With more getting vaccinated, mask rules have eased, but those unvaccinated remain the major issue to the success to our live music truly coming back.

Tesla just kicked off their 2021 “Let’s Get real” tour in Grants Pass, Oregon. Their social media pages have teased to the band digging into rarely performed songs including some even more rare covers. Tesla had some of its biggest success in the late 80s from its 1986 debut, Mechanical Resonance, which featured hits like "Modern Day Cowboy" and "Gettin' Better". Their 1989 follow up, The Great Radio Controversy included their MTV/Radio hit "Love Song". Tesla would continue making records over its 30 years plus career that fused their acoustic/electric rock sounds including the very underrated, Forever More to its most recent, Shock, which featured Phil Collen of Def Leppard as producer, who pushed the bands sound evolution. Then the pandemic hit, and sadly the rock stopped.

As things started to get better, live shows once again started getting scheduled and the Tesla tour was one of the first to actually happen with postponements and cancellations of shows being the sad norm. Tesla is tight band of musicians and one who has a real connection with its members. Time and their music have made them a strong, musical family. So, when the band took to the stage minus its original guitarist, Frank Hannon, things felt strange. Guitarist Howie Simon filled in playing the part of Frank and there were no mentions to why leaving hardcore fans puzzled and concerned.

Those are hard shoes to fill especially in this group. With the loss of Frank, the show took on the safer setlist. The 14-song show covered some of the best ofs from the band, but did include a stripped down lesser played, "Paradise" and Forever More's "Breakin’ Free". The fire that Frank Hannon usually brings was sadly missed and the full Tesla experience including those deep dives into those rare songs will have to wait for now.

Covid is still a huge issue. Tesla just released their official statement saying their upcoming shows will now have to be postponed until further notice due to the tour staff contracting the Covid virus. This just shows the dangers to the artists, the crews and to the fans. An over enthusiastic fan wanted his Tesla record signed from the front row, but singer Jeff Keith carefully declined for his personal safety reasons, which didn't sit well for the fan. There needs to be an understanding and respect here that things are still not good.

Singer Jeff Keith was doing his best just being there and that should alone be appreciated. We all need to be smart and safe right now as we navigate through this ongoing pandemic. There is another concern right now as these artists, who have noted being vaccinated are still getting the virus. With the overall event, there were some in attendance who did wear masks including the band, but most did not. How many were not vaccinated? There is a real danger here. If we don't act smart, all get on the same page, live music will go backwards and not forwards.

Setlist (for Grants Pass, Oregon on 08-05-21 and Spirit Mountain Casino on 08-06-21)
Cummin’ Atcha Live
Modern Day Cowboy
Hang Tough
Breakin' Free
Heaven Trail (No Way Out)
The Way it is (not played at Spirit Mountain Casino)
Changes
fan shot video from Spirit Mountain Casino on 08-06-21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvqNp57FzbM
What Ya Give
Paradise
Gettin’ Better
Edison’s Medicine
Love Song
Little Suzi
Signs

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