Heartbeat City Live arrives as a premier highlight for Record Store Day 2026, bringing a legendary 1984 performance to vinyl for the first time. Scheduled for release on April 18, 2026, this limited-edition 2LP set captures The Cars at the absolute zenith of their career. Issued through Rhino and Atlantic, the album documents the band’s high-energy stop at The Summit in Houston, Texas, during their massive 1984 world tour.
As an official Record Store Day exclusive, this title is part of Rhino’s 51-title slate for the event. While most official documentation from the label describes the Heartbeat City Live 2LP as being pressed on crystal-clear vinyl, some international retail listings have noted a “Pink Vinyl” variant. These descriptions likely reflect regional differences or specific retailer assignments, but the core specification remains a colored-vinyl live set.
This release is particularly notable for collectors because it represents the first time these specific audio recordings have been made available on any format—physical or digital. While the original Heartbeat City studio album was known for its polished, intricate production by Mutt Lange, this live recording offers a rawer perspective on the material.
The 2LP tracklist includes a comprehensive selection of the band’s biggest hits and deep cuts:
Because this is an official RSD 2026 title, it will be available exclusively at participating independent record stores starting the morning of April 18. Following standard event protocols, any remaining stock of the approximately 3,500 copies will likely be made available for online purchase by retailers a day or two after the initial event.
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