Seeing Them Live

Singer-songwriter, artist, and guitar builder Victor Gurbo joins the show to discuss formative concert experiences and his own work. He recalls seeing Arlo Guthrie as a child, becoming a devoted Bob Dylan fan (having seen him 20–30 times), and admiring Levon Helm’s audience connection, including a Terminal 5 performance after Helm’s cancer battle. Gurbo shares a chaotic Jack White Radio City show where lost StubHub tickets were replaced at the last minute with front-row seats, only for White to end the set early, souring Gurbo on his music. He describes building guitars from reclaimed wood, inspired by Rick Kelly’s “Carmine Street Guitars,” and how that led to making his own instrument for NPR’s Battle of the Boroughs, which his band won for Brooklyn in 2013. Gurbo also plugs his new album, “Gurbo and Company Live 2025,” recorded at Cafe Wha? and released March 11, 2026.

Brothers Matheus and Thiago Khouri of Brazilian rock band Banda AL9 join Seeing Them Live to discuss their rise from posting acoustic covers on YouTube and Facebook to building a social following of over 2 million. They share their first concert experience seeing Paul McCartney in São Paulo in 2010, how their parents’ love of classic rock shaped them, and why they began releasing originals after growing an audience. The duo recounts their 2023 breakout as the song “Charma De Amor” went viral, leading to a Steve Aoki remix and a Tomorrowland performance, and motivating them to create English versions like “She Calls Me Love” to reach global fans. They talk about working with Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records, their upcoming album “Hey, Hey, We’re Banda AL9” (July 17), a week performing in New York. The episode closes with an acoustic performance of “She Can Do It All.”

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles welcomes his daughter, Lily, to discuss her first concert: seeing Harry Styles live in Lisbon in 2023, and the stressful effort to get her first passport in time. Lily shares how she discovered Harry’s music during COVID through Fine Line and Harry’s House, while her dad recounts missing expensive United Center tickets, buying Lisbon show tickets, and navigating repeated passport denials tied to an improperly notarized form and an outdated version sent by the agency. After contacting Rep. Sean Casten, Lily’s passport shipped just in time, allowing the family to fly to Portugal just in time to catch Wet Leg’s opener and Harry’s set, including crowd moments like Bohemian Rhapsody and favorites like Matilda. They also discuss later shows, including Lollapalooza 2025 for Olivia Rodrigo with Weezer, and upcoming plans to see Harry at Madison Square Garden.

Eric Vollweiler, a longtime producer and marketing strategist in the film festival and entertainment world, joins Seeing Them Live to trace how early theater trips with his dad and concerts with his mom shaped his path—from Aerosmith/Black Crowes at SPAC to Grateful Dead/CSN in Buffalo and a standout Ziggy Marley show in Vermont. He recalls moving to NYC in 1996, promoting clubs like the China Club and Tunnel (where he broke his wrist breakdancing), and explains guest lists and commissions. Vollweiler shares how he knew Vin Diesel (Mark Sinclair) through Manhattan catering and later through festival nonprofit work, plus seeing the Beastie Boys during Sundance 2006. He discusses launching the Vollweiler Agency, film festival basics, Sundance venues, the Hip Hop Film Festival, and practical advice on research, sponsorship decks, fundraising, promotion, and volunteering/interning.

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, host Charles welcomes back Paul Peterson, a retired technology manager and lifelong audiophile who hosts the podcast 'An Avid Listener.' They delve into the intriguing topic of how bands evolve through lineup changes and the impact these shifts have on live performances. With personal anecdotes and examples from renowned bands like The Beach Boys, The Doors, AC/DC, and Grand Funk Railroad, they explore whether it's the original members or the music itself that draws fans to concerts. The discussion also touches on tribute bands, live recording experiences, and the importance of researching band lineups before attending shows. Join them for a deep dive into what truly makes a live music experience memorable.

Part two of our 2025 year-end concert review features incredible stories from Andy, Jessica, Steve, and superfan Dawn Fontaine. The show kicks off with Dawn who attended 55 shows this year and now books concerts for her favorite band Soraia. Dawn shares her unbelievable experience flying on the Rolling Stones' private jet in 2002, meeting Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and the band, and hearing them play her favorite song the next night. Steve recounts seeing Lady Gaga's mind-blowing performance in Vegas (ranking it in his top 10 all-time), plus St. Vincent, Joan Jett, and Adele. Andy highlights Mdou Moctar's incredible guitar work, the surprise hit of Joe Russo's Almost Dead in Vegas, and Neil Young performing at Meigs Field. The crew also discusses the challenges of presales, the magic of small venues, and their most anticipated 2026 shows including Rush, Iron Maiden, Radiohead, and Guns N' Roses.

Welcome to the second annual Seeing Them Live Year End Concert Review show, where a panel of returning guests shares their favorite live music experiences from 2025. Eric Green discussed notable concerts he attended such as seeing Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton's side project band Close Enemies, Kim Deal's solo performance, and seeing Joe Perry of Aerosmith in his side project. Jessica Catena covered her experiences, including attending a Samara Joy jazz concert, watching 'Moulin Rouge' on Broadway, and attending iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball. Summer recounted her experiences at Lollapalooza, a Yungblud concert, and a special operatic rendition of Smashing Pumpkins' music. Art Gregg shared his delightful encounters with Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, Michael Schenker of UFO, and Robert Plant at a small venue, highlighting the intimate and memorable nature of these performances. The episode concluded with mentions of upcoming concerts in 2026. Charles rounds out the discussion by mentioning his own concert experiences at new Chicago venues including Space in Evanston where he saw Mdou Moctar and The Old 97s, the female-focused Motoblot festival at Beat Kitchen, an incredible Buddy Guy performance at the Rialto Square Theater where the 89-year-old blues legend walked through the aisles playing guitar, shows at the new Garcia's venue and City Winery, and his anticipation for an upcoming Iron Maiden show. The episode concludes with a teaser for part two, which will feature Dawn's private jet experience with the Rolling Stones, Andy's Bonnaroo adventure, and Steve's concert highlights.

In this Season 3 closer, Charles interviews the core members of the Chicago-based punk band, Horace Pinker, share fascinating stories from their extensive touring history and music career. Originating in Tempe, Arizona, Horace Pinker has shared stages with legendary bands such as Green Day, Fugazi, and Blink 182, while also touring internationally. The band recounts memorable concert experiences, including Scott Eastman's first show seeing Duran Duran, best and surprising concerts, and even mishaps like falling through a stage while performing. The highlight of the interview is when Bryan describes the time, he had dinner with David Grohl of Foo Fighters and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin but missed an opportunity to start a conversation with John Paul Jones. The discussion also covers the band's formation, the significance of the punk scene, and their latest album, 'Now and the Future.' Scott, Bryan, and Greg provide an authentic and lively insight into the life of a punk band on the road.

In this episode, Charles and Doug welcome back Andy, a schoolteacher and avid music fan, to give an After Show Report on the 2025 Bonnaroo Music Festival. Andy shares his adventurous experience, from a nine-hour drive to the festival and an unexpected encounter with law enforcement, to dealing with torrential rains, flash floods, and a canceled show. He recounts his dedication to seeing his favorite bands, notably King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and the camaraderie among festivalgoers amidst the chaos. Tune in to hear Andy's vivid storytelling and reflections on navigating one of the most challenging yet memorable music festivals.

In this engaging episode, Charles and Doug explore the intersection of True Crime with Rock and Roll with renowned guest Jim Berkenstadt, known as the Rock and Roll Detective. Jim shares captivating stories from his career, including explosive concert experiences and his eighth-grade first 'case' involving Beatles conspiracy theories. Jim discusses his bestselling works such as 'The Beatle Who Vanished,' being adapted into a movie, and 'Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed,' which delves into various rock and roll mysteries. He also touches on his role in consulting for rock documentaries and his detailed research into enigmatic stories like the FBI's investigation into 'Louie Louie.' Wrapping up, Jim reveals intriguing details about his other projects, including a forthcoming documentary, 'If These Walls Could Rock.'