Unlike Paul Simon, who recently graced the Showbox’s Market stage, The Cars probably couldn’t pack Central Park. But they’re still a helluva score for the ‘Box’s SoDo sister venue, especially considering Tuesday night’s show marks the opening date of the unclassifiable Bostonians’ first tour in nearly a quarter-century. With many bands, that would signal a high probability of rustiness, but not with The Cars, who somehow managed to transcend Fine Young Cannibalistic ’80s cheese while heavily featuring the cheesiest of instruments (the synthesizer). Every living original band member (Ben Orr died in 2000) will be playing, and the band is touring behind a solid new album, Move Like This, rather than just coasting on the classics. While it features nothing as memorable as “Drive” or “Just What I Needed,” any of Move‘s ten tracks would feel right at home on an album alongside those hits. MIKE SEELY

Tue., May 10, 7 p.m., 2011