Written by: Christie Bilbo
On Tuesday night (August 12) at Dos Equis Pavilion, the venue was packed with people. When I arrived at 5 p.m., lines had already begun forming, and the parking lots were quickly filling up. Despite the heat and humidity, the crowd dressed in black stretched down the block and around the next street. We felt a bit worried when it started lighting up, and you could hear thunder in the distance. Fortunately, the wind picked up, bringing a refreshing cool breeze. Thankfully, it didn’t rain.
Once the gates opened and people started entering, the line moved quickly. One tip: bring a bottle of water. You are permitted to bring in up to a gallon of water into the pavilion, which is convenient considering the high prices inside — a can of Death Wish water costs $8.
The merch lines were moving quickly, and I only waited about 15 minutes to get my desired Falling in Reverse shirt ($54.13 with tax). The staff member who assisted me seemed to be having a bad day and was quite rude. When she gave me the wrong shirt and I pointed it out, she got upset. The moment she slammed the payment kiosk down, I realized I needed to pay and move on quickly. She was not in a good mood.
I didn’t eat before arriving at the venue because I got off work later than expected. I bought a cheeseburger, fries, and a bucket of popcorn for $33.56, which I find outrageous, but I was starving. The cheeseburger was different this time—they added their version of a secret sauce, a mix of pickle relish and thousand island dressing. The French fries were perfect and delicious, though that doesn’t quantify the ridiculously high price. Between bands, I grabbed a fresh, tasty pretzel for $12.45. I also had to try the non-alcoholic drinks from the end of the concessions stand—nothing was listed with the prices. It was hot outside, and I needed something cold after drinking all my water. I found a strawberry cream drink with a hint of vanilla for $14.93. The price was shocking, but it was super tasty. Would I get it again? No! I plan to make my own at home for a fraction of the cost. Next time, I’ll eat before the concert—no matter the time—because I refuse to pay that much for food at a concert.
The show began with Sleep Theory. I saw them last year at BFD and have them on my Spotify playlist. I really love this band, as they have many wonderful songs. The lead singer, Cullen Moore, has an incredible voice, supported by Paolo Vergara on bass and vocals, Ben Pruitt on drums, and his brother Daniel Pruitt on guitar and unclean vocals. They released an album called ‘Afterglow’ on May 16, 2025, which is fantastic. Some of their biggest hits include “Static,” “Gone or Staying,” “Gravity,” “Paralyzed,” and ‘Numb.’ The audience was fully engaged during their set and cheered loudly, making a strong start to the tour.
Following the artist, Tech N9ne, was energizing the venue with his beats. Aaron Yates (Tech N9ne) was a new artist for me that night—I had never heard of him before he took the stage. He has some major hits like “Face off,” “Outdone,” “Like I Ain’t,” and “Screen.” He had the crowd on their feet, delivering some fantastic tunes.
Wage War performed next to a large and enthusiastic fan base at the concert. They took the stage at 7:50 p.m., ready to energize the crowd. The band, from Ocala, FL, initially called themselves Empires before rebranding as Wage War in 2010. Briton Bond is the lead vocalist, with Seth Blake on lead guitar, Cody Quistad on rhythm guitar, Chris Gaylord on bass, and Stephen Kluesener on drums. Having listened to them for some years, it was exciting to see them live. They started strong with the song “Tombstone,” which got the crowd on their feet and fists in the air. Their 10-song set included favorites like “Low,” “Stitch,” “The River,” and closed with “Manic.” If you’re looking for a versatile and powerful band, give this group a listen!
The headliner of the show was Falling in Reverse, which is why I attended. I’m relatively new to their music, having started about three years ago when I first heard “Popular Monster.” I came across it as a Spotify recommendation. The lyrics resonated deeply with me, especially since I was going through difficult times and felt on the verge of breaking down. The song struck a chord and left a strong impression. Since then, I’ve been completely captivated by them—hook, line, and sinker.
I understand the band is controversial due to its lead singer, Ronnie Radke. You either love or hate him. He has a complicated past, but don’t we all? I won’t mention the accusations made against him, as it’s not my place to judge. However, I follow him on Instagram and found him hilarious. His way of calling out people who try to roast him online is just epic. His love for his parrot, Daisy, is especially touching — seeing him run around the house with it on his hand, pretending it’s flying, or sitting on the couch with the bird jamming to music with him. His dog, Donnie, also has a hairstyle that surprisingly looks like him.
When the band took the stage, they electrified the crowd. During their opening song, “Prequel,” no one in the audience was sitting down. Their most popular track, “God Is a Weapon,” recorded with Marilyn Manson, was an incredible sight. The singer has outstanding vocals and an extensive range. Witnessing the entire crowd singing along was truly remarkable. This energy sustained throughout the entire show. Songs like “The Drug in Me Is You,” “Just Like You,” “All My Women,” and “Popular Monster” were major highlights. Ronnie’s lineup features talented members, including Christian Thompson on lead guitar and vocals, Luke Holland on drums, Marc Okubo on rhythm guitar, and the recently added Daniel DL Laskiewicz. An interesting fact about DL is that he was the lead singer of Bad Wolves.
It was already a hot night, weather-wise, and the pyrotechnics throughout the concert made it even hotter. I’m not complaining; it suited the event perfectly. I especially loved how Ronnie and DL ran through the crowd onto the lawn. Ronnie also stopped to take selfies with some children, making sure to say hi to each one—totally epic. I believe that a family that rocks together stays together. I love seeing parents bring their kids to concerts and watch them have the time of their lives. These moments create wonderful family memories.
With the closing of the concert, they played “We Are the Champions” by Queen.
When I looked around, I was struck by how crowded it was. Although the official numbers haven’t come out yet, the venue was packed. Every seat was filled, and the lawn was full as well. What’s remarkable about rock is that many say it’s dead… but NO, it isn’t! Rock is experiencing a major comeback, with more people attending these concerts and filling the venues.
There are some fantastic upcoming concerts. Find a ticket and enjoy a great night out.
I look forward to seeing you at the next concert. For me, it’ll be Ghost at Dickies Arena.
