By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jun 29, 2017 at 12:55 AM Photography: David Bernacchi

The pouring rain never let up tonight, but neither did Tesla. The hard rock band, celebrating 30 years in the industry, stormed the Harley-Davidson Stage at Summerfest and flooded the scene with energy, positivity and F-bombs.

The opening, black hole imagery on the screens behind the band, reflected the ominous weather, but neither the band nor the crowd – which was small but hardy – seemed affected. Heads banged under umbrellas.

Tesla has been on tour with Poison and Def Leppard and for weeks has played the same mini set, but tonight they shined with a 14-song set which included many of their hits and a couple of covers (also old hits of Tesla's), "Signs" and "Little Suzi," originally performed by Ph.D.

The band sounded exceptional – both due to the sound engineer but also lead singer Jeff Keith’s voice. From a few rows back, they looked similar to how they did in the '80s, only their long hair was less, um, big.

Numerous times Keith acknowledged the hardiness of the crowd and expressed his gratitude. "Rain or shine, you’re still with us. Thank you!" he said early in the show and later, "Milwaukee, you are diehard fans - right here and right f*cking now."

The lightning and thunder that came in full force mid-show added to the intensity and heavy metal-ness, yet it was juxtaposed with the driving, yet positive, lyrics of their songs. "Getting Better," "Hang Tough" and "What You Give" are anthems of light.

The Sacramento-based band formed in 1981 and released seven studio albums. It started working on new material in April 2017.

The vision of the spotlights shining on the crowd, filled with raindrops plummeting to the ground, were beyond what any special effects person could achieve and the sing-a-longs on "Little Suzi" and "Signs" furthered the connection with the crowd. The small crowd, at first, was disappointing considering how strong Tesla was tonight, but over time, it was clear the dedicated rain-goers who banded together in rock-n-roll won the show. 

The reality of tonight was that we are hardcore when it comes to harsh weather and good music. We, Milwaukee, literally weathered a storm together. 

Set list:

Into the Now
The Way It Is
Hang Tough
Heaven’s Trail
Mama’s Fool
Signs (cover)
What You Give
Getting Better
Save That Goodness
Edison’s Medicine (Man Out Of Time)
Song and Emotion
Love Song
Little Suzi (cover)
Modern Day Cowboy 

Tesla at Harley Davidson Roadhouse @thebiggig

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Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.