The Cars Tickets

I did not realize that this was the band's first show together in nearly a quarter of a century. Benjamin Orr has left us, but the remaining quartet are all there, led by iconic singer/guitarist Rick Ocasek, who looked about the same as he did in the '80's. The group sounded really strong. And they rocked pretty damn hard all night. Elliot Easton is still magnificent on the electric ax. The fellas actually played "Heartbeat City" twice in a row because they thought the first rendition sucked (it really didn't). And the stuff from the new album is really quite good, and not just an afterthought throwaway. If you get a chance to catch 'em on this tour, you oughta do so. You likely will have a really great time hopping aboard for a ride with these Cars.

Man what a treat for The Cars to open there tour in 24 years in Seattle!!! Hit after Hit. There in Stuff sounded Great. Ric O, Even crack a smile or two. It was Great to see him back! They play for 2 hrs. They could play more. The Biggest Treat was to meet them after words. All and All i would see them again.

Wow! Nice small venue for the very first Cars show in 27 years? What? It was awesome. They sounded great, engaged the audience, and played a good mix of both classic and new material. The new songs were also very good. Not my favorite venue, however. Wait in line for an hour, then stand waiting inside for more than an hour. Sold out, so crowded. Most of the crowd was laid back, but I got pushed around twice during the show by folks that decided they should be closer than they were. Get there early like we did and don't be so rude!

The show was great from start to finish! This was their first time playing together in 24 years so there were some noticeable bumps but the show was still quiet enjoyable. Great crowd participation on the hits and the new songs sounded really cool. I will definitely be picking up the new album. It was a sell out crowd and the band seemed genuinely thankful for the very loud cheers welcoming them back to the stage. I hope to see them play again soon! Serious technical/apparent sound issues made a train wreck out of "Moving In Stereo" after the song collapsed to an end, Ric Ocasek announced, "Let's try that one again!" The second try was AWESOME!!! Not only did we enjoy a laugh with the band, it was great to see them work so hard to please the crowd. Greg Hawkes (keyboards) then proclaimed, "Well, it has been 24 years!" Many laughs and cheers were shared. Great times!

Setlist: Good Times Roll Blue Tip Since You're Gone Up and Down My Best Friend's Girl Hits Me Touch and Go I'm in Touch With Your World Keep on Knocking You Might Think Drag on Forever Free I'm Not the One Heartbeat City Let's Go Moving in Stereo Moving in Stereo (again) Encore: Sad Song Just What I Needed The band sounded great, all the more when you consider how long it has been and how relatively little time they had to rehearse – without a bassist. Great to hear 6 tunes from the new album, and was especially pleased to hear the rare “Up and Down” from Panorama. A few thoughts on the Seattle show... If anybody was wondering why Elliot Easton didn’t solo more on the new record, it certainly isn’t because he can’t. He absolutely tore it up in the Seattle show, so I’m thinking that Ric felt this new batch of songs just didn’t call for solos in the sense that Elliot provided on past albums. But fine guitar work is still there on the album (listen to “Drag on Forever”). Elliot and Greg were clearly having fun and seemed most comfortable, which makes sense since they were the ones who (a) really wanted to tour and (b) had toured relatively recently with TNC. Ric was mostly stoic, as he shouldered heavy responsibility with all the lead vocals and hadn’t toured in some time, but at times he definitely seemed to enjoy playing and was very gracious to the crowd. I mean, how many huge rock stars would actually insist on playing a song again to get it right? Ric sang Ben’s songs well, though the crowd drowned him out on “Let’s Go” and “Just What I Needed”. David was working really hard (notice that lack of ballads on the set list) and it sure didn’t sound like he had taken two decades off. I also liked that they had one of Ben Orr’s basses on stage under a spotlight... Aside from “Let’s Go”, the set had a somewhat darker tone, which was perfectly OK by me – ie., no “Shake It Up” or “Magic”. Also no “Drive”, which I didn’t mind either; it’s a Ben Orr vocal but one of my least favorite of their hits. I'm glad the band didn't play it safe; it really was a set for the true Cars fans. All in all, an amazing show.

I have loved The Cars since I was in junior high school in the late 70s, and saw them live at the Pacific Amphitheater in SoCal in 1984 on their Heartbeat City tour. They were GREAT live back then, and I was skeptical after all this time to go see them in 2011. My daughter got our tickets as a birthday present for us, because she was raised listening to their music. She arranged everything for the concert so I didn't know a lot of the backstory, and certainly didn't realize we were the first city on their new tour. We had a BLAST at the concert and I was SO impressed that they sounded basically the same as when I saw them in 1984. I was impressed with their new material as well, and bought the CD. The difference was barely noticeable when Ric Ocasek sang Benjamin Orr's songs, he did a superb job! I loved the show and am SO glad my daughter got the tickets!

It was great to see them live after all these years. They sounded just like the original recordings but I wish they could have done longer versions of the big hits. The audience was totally into, singing along and then....they end, exactly like the record. Longer versions, jam, solos, anything to keep it going would have been great.

Was really looking forward to this show - grew up on the Cars and know almost everything they've ever released, but never got to see them live until now. I was disappointed that they were booked at the Showbox SODO - terrible acoustics and mediocre sound-system at best (wished it could've been at the Paramount!!!). The sound was good in that it was clear (none of the usual wall of mud that prevails at this venue); but the volume level just wasn't high enough - likely at the band's request as the folks at the sound-board just shook their heads whenever someone went up to them to ask for a bump up. I have never been to an electric show where you had to ask the folks next to you to talk quietly so you could hear the band!! The setlist was great, good balance between classics & material off the new album; new stuff fits right in. Figured they weren't going to do "Drive" as that was Ben Orr's signature song & it wouldn't have felt right to have Ric perform it in his place. Nice tribute to the missing man - good love from the crowd! Understanding that this was their first live show in 24 years, they did a great job. Few miscues - drummer Dave Robinson seemed to be way off on the first attempt at "Moving In Stereo", but Ric asked if we minded them doing it again & they did! Much better on the second pass. Would've liked a longer show overall (only ran about an hour & 20 minutes), plus the encore situation felt really weird. They came out & did Sad Song (off new album) & Just What I Needed - then just sort of left the stage. Folks were cheering & yelling for a few minutes - everyone thought they were coming out again, especially since they house lights were kept down. Then it just sort of ended... Sad because they deserved a bigger send-off than what they got. There are about 5 mores songs that I really wanted to hear, including Tonight She Comes and Hello Again, but that just means I have to go see them again to catch the rest!! No opening act, so be sure to get there more or less on time. Low-key stage presence - they ain't kids anymore!! They all look and sound great - sure hope this is just the beginning of a new era for the Cars!!!

Their sound was still as great as ever! But after 30+ years of making music, you'd think they could play for more than an hour. It was technically about an hour 15, but I was hoping for a lot more.

The Show was awesome. Me & my son ( 22 years old ) Had a great time at the show & was an experience we are glad we did not miss. Although when they played Moving in Stereo the second time, I was hopeing for them to lead into the song All mixed up! Those two songs go together, but hey you can't have everything. The Showbox was a great way to give us all a way to have personal experience.

I could have watched them in a dump and been happy....first time together in 24 years and I was there to see it...pretty cool

After waiting 24 years for a Cars concert, I finally got to see one. The guys did a great job! They played some old favorites and some selections from their new album. They played very proficiently, and considering that David has to play to a click track (Ben's bass parts are pre-recorded) they made surprisingly few errors. They did goof up on "Moving in Stereo," but Ric asked if we'd mind if they tried again, and we enthusiastically agreed, so they did. They looked like they were having fun up there, with lots of spontaneous smiles, even from the Stoic One (Ric) himself. Mind you, this isn't a Rolling Stones or Queen concert; the Cars don't do much strutting or showing off. If you know them, this won't be a surprise. They just play the music the way you know it, and it's a good time.

The CARS were 20 mintues late, gave a weak performance of their own "best of..." and were gone in 1 hour. they had not toured in 24 years and i suggest they should stay retired. waste of the $65

The venue was not great; in fact rather disappointing. Those lacking in height could not view the concert at all (except via others' cell phone pictures). The Cars provided a great sound and I felt pretty dog-gone special to be present at their first show in 24 years! I appreciated that they threw in some new stuff, but I have to admit, if they would have done the entire concert of just their hits, the night would have be absolutely wild! It was great to sing along with the audience on all of the hits. What a thrill to be a part of this night!

Short but oh so great! They blew "Living in Stereo" and reset and did it again and nailed it! Awesome! I hope they come back!

Great show. Saw them last time 27 years ago (Paul Carrack and Nick Lowe opened...Milw. WI.)....The only criticism....needed more volume! Sounded like the typical "house/venue" sound system. In contrast to Sno. Casino very good sound system. Great night! Go Cars!

Was at the Seattle show- their first show in over 25 years! I was just a baby when they broke up, so I'm very pleased that I got the opportunity to see them. They played "Moving in Stereo" twice, which was cool since the first version of it was out of tune. I wish they had played an encore.

Title sums it up. No energy, slow pace to all songs. But it was there first concert in 24 years...crowd responded well. I hope they do well.

Was well worth the wait. Ric Ocasek sang all the Lead Vocals as Benjamin Orr passed away in 2000. Yes he was missed. They played about 90 Min and it was all Good. Some new and the Best of the Old. I last saw them in 1980 Oakland, and 1979 in Seattle. If you like this Band buy quick as this show Sold Out Fast. Such a Privelige for the Seattle Area.

I have alwaays always ALWAYS wanted to see The Cars and now I get my chance to. I'm sure it won't be the same without Benjamin Orr, but 4 outta 5 members of the group isn't bad at all!