The Icehouse - Hallettsville

It's hard to separate the artist's performance from the quality of the venue itself. I went to see Hozier on April 28th and the venue was conveniently located and had abundant parking, but the facilities didn't seem to be capable of hosting that number of people. The microphone went out mid-way through one of the first songs which detracted from the experience, and the lawn was muddy from recent rain. I wish the facility owners had thought of a way to put in ramps or some other means of protecting concertgoers from slipping because I almost fell down a massive slope of mud. There are really no lights in the lawn and people were too cramped to be able to sit comfortably or go down to the bathrooms/concessions area easily. Bathrooms were dirty and jam-packed. Food and drinks were greatly overpriced and the affiliated service was fine.

Do NOT pay for the VIP parking. It is a SCAM. They advertise that it is easy in and easy out, well let me tell you, it might have been SLIGHTLY easy in (we got here two hours early), BUT it is not worth your money because it is NOT easy out. Unless you leave the show early, you will be sitting in stand still traffic (did not leave our parking spot for 2hrs). I highly do NOT recommend the VIP parking. Save your money and give it to St. Jude.

Security: Their security wasn't as stringent as the venues in Houston, but I found them to be thorough and reasonable. They allowed each person to bring one large water bottle, provided that it was sealed and not frozen. We also brought sunscreen and a large sheet for the lawn area. Others brought in their own stadium chairs. Check the guidelines for your particular event before going. Food and Drink: I didn't purchase alcohol, so I can't comment on it. It was pricey though. A can of water is $5, which is typical, but ridiculous. I bought several the first time because it was August and during a heat wave, but after that we brought our own. The food MUST be mentioned. We bought two Campisi's pizzas for about $12 or $14 each plus a tip. If I had taken a bite with my eyes closed, I would have sworn I was eating the box. Whoa, SUPER BAD. Merchandise: Super expensive. Expect to spend $50 or more on a T-shirt, and when they ask you to sign, a tip is requested too. I always give something, but geez. Lawn tickets: Pavilions are my favorite type of venue, and I especially like the lawn seating. It creates a festival-like atmosphere, which is a bit more friendly and casual than being packed in at stadium. If there's someone in front of you who is constantly flailing about and won't sit down, you have the option to move! You have a little more space to move around, and can have a blanket and/or short stature stadium chair. Chairs are available to rent, but a lot of people brought their own when I was there. Sound Quality: I've been here for three concerts: Beck, 50 cent, and Rob Zombie with Alice Cooper. The sound quality was just okay. For whatever reason, the sound quality wasn't as clear as it is at Cynthia Woods Pavilion in the Woodlands/Houston. Parking: Dos Equis has a lot of free parking, so that's a big advantage compared to other venues. I suggest parking in a grass lot outside of the fenced area if you can. Getting out after a show requires a lot of time and patience. Also, watch out for people bringing T-shirts to sell in the parking lot. They will approach your car from the front, requiring you to slam on brakes or hit them. I don't understand why security doesn't put a stop to that. It was especially bad at the 50Cent concert August 2023. Ants: My one major complaint was that the lawn area needed to be treated for ants, so we ended up with bites on our feet. Constantly slapping ants, especially in the dark, isn't my idea of fun. Dos Equis should take care of that pronto! TLDR: Lots of parking, lawn tickets are awesome, reasonable security but look for specific guidelines for your event, do NOT get the pizza. Watch out for ants!

Janet Jacson was awesome! However, my experience at Dos Equis Pavilion was dreadful. Too many long lines coming and going. Long lines everywhere! The lawn was overcrowded and could've been a fire hazard. This is how people get trampled at concerts, overselling tickets. The parking lot was a disaster after the concert. My friend and I sat in our parking space for 30 minutes as we weren't even able to get out of our parking space. Where was the staff directing traffic?! The chaotic traffic issue and outside the pavillion was completely unnecessary! Logistocal failure based on greed. Side note: the burger, fries, and Whiskey peach tea I had there were excellent.

This place is ok for concerts. Usually the headliners are big names, so you will usually get a good show from them but damn, if you aren't going to risk your safety, your sanity, and your future trust in humanity as a species every time you come here. Getting in and out of this place is a goat rope. The bottlenecks you have to squeeze through are atrocious. The facility itself is okay but never again will I do lawn seats here. You have to leave it completely to use the restroom and if the lawn is crowded, good luck finding your way back to your spot in the dark. Seats are good and the views are decent from any seat in the house. The staff in the seating area can be salty, but when you see the people they have to deal with, it's understandable. I often have to curb my temper at some of the idiotic behavior that concerts encourage. All in all, this venue is a necessary evil. I have seen some amazing shows here. And I will likely return, dammit.