Sacramento area rock legends headline Toyota Concert Series Friday night
Music has been a centerpiece of the California State Fair for more than 170 years—and this Friday night, one of Sacramento’s most iconic rock bands returns to bring it home. TESLA is set to perform live at 8 p.m. on July 18, headlining the Toyota Concert Series on the Sky River Casino Stage.
Formed in 1984 under the name City Kidd, the band adopted the name TESLA as a nod to inventor Nikola Tesla, whose pioneering work in electricity seemed a perfect fit for their high-voltage sound. Their debut album, Mechanical Resonance, went platinum in 1986 and featured the hits “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi.” TESLA followed that success with the double-platinum The Great Radio Controversy in 1989, featuring fan favorites like “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)” and the enduring ballad “Love Song.”
Though TESLA rose to fame during the glam-metal boom of the 1980s, their sound was always more grounded—built on the gritty, bluesy foundations of 1970s rock and roll. With influences echoing The Allman Brothers, Grand Funk Railroad, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Aerosmith, their music has always resonated as organic and deeply soulful.
Their momentum only grew as they toured alongside rock titans like Def Leppard and David Lee Roth—gigs that quickly launched them into headlining territory thanks to their raw stage presence and passionate fan following.
The band helped define the unplugged movement in 1990 with Five Man Acoustical Jam, a stripped-down live album featuring both TESLA originals and covers of rock classics by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and more. It produced their highest-charting single, a cover of “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band.
Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, TESLA continued to tour and record, releasing platinum-selling albums like Psychotic Supper and Bust a Nut, followed by nearly a dozen additional albums since 2000. Their most recent single, “Time to Rock!,” debuted earlier this year and teases what’s to come on their upcoming full-length album. That new record is expected to drop in 2025 and will coincide with a worldwide tour across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Despite the evolving tastes of the post-grunge era, TESLA has never wavered. Known for their blue-collar attitude, soul-infused sound, and unwavering loyalty to their fans, they’ve built a reputation as one of rock’s most enduring acts. As comfortable, rugged, and dependable as your favorite pair of boots, TESLA has earned their place in rock history. From their Sacramento roots to stages around the globe, they continue to prove that true rock and roll never goes out of style.
“TESLA is a hometown favorite, and they are going to light up the stage at the fair,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo and the California State Fair. “It’s been a long time since they’ve performed here. We know the band will bring high energy with their bluesy, soulful, rock and roll style.”
Concerts at the California State Fair are free with Fair admission, but fans wanting a closer experience can purchase reserved seats at www.CalExpoStateFair.com. Following Friday’s high-voltage homecoming, the Toyota Concert Series continues with Queen Nation on Saturday, followed by Majo Aguilar and Joss Favela on Sunday. Monday night brings Journey Revisited to the stage, with more shows throughout the week including Cypress Hill, Joe Nichols, and Tower of Power.
The California State Fair runs through July 27 at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Fair gates open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Visit www.californiastatefair.com or click any California State Fair ad on FolsomTimes.com for more information.
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