Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The Daily Beast. Products and media for review consideration should be sent to 204 E. Henderson Ave., Tampa, FL 33602.

rroa@cltampa.com

A close-up, candid video-still portrait of chef Nicole Hoffer. They are smiling broadly and looking slightly off-camera with a joyful expression. They have blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail with loose bangs framing their face. They are wearing large, transparent-frame glasses, bright red lipstick, and a white chef's coat. A dark-blue scarf with a gold star pattern is visible around their neck. The background is softly blurred, showing a bright, neutral-toned interior kitchen environment.

Music

Nicole Hoffer plays Tuesday jazz jam at Tampa’s Black History Museum

Her sound is familiar to local jazz fans who’ve seen her at DI Coffee Bar, or alongside Mai Sweet Basil and the Rod Alnord Quartet.

by Ray Roa June 12, 2026June 12, 2026

Nicole Hoffer could probably sing her way out of a hostage situation, and this week she plays a show on Central Avenue, a part of Tampa that’s seen performances from some of the greatest American vocalists of all time. Her sound is familiar to local jazz fans who’ve seen her at DI Coffee Bar, or […]

A medium-shot portrait of the indie-rock duo Old Mervs standing against a plain, white-painted brick wall. On the left, a band member with short, dark hair and a mustache is wearing a light-blue, button-down short-sleeved shirt. On the right, a band member with shoulder-length, wavy blonde hair and a mustache is wearing a dark-red t-shirt underneath a navy blue corduroy jacket. Both are facing the camera directly, positioned in bright, natural, direct sunlight that creates soft shadows against the wall behind them.

Music

Young Australian rock duo Old Mervs lands in Tampa this weekend

Another Aussie outfit, Ra Ra Viper, opens.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A medium-shot, live event photograph of rapper Jay-Z at Wembley Stadium in London. They are wearing a black beanie, circular wire-rimmed sunglasses, a black jacket over a high-collared light-gray windbreaker, and are flashing a peace sign with their right hand. They have long, braided hair framing their face and are smiling warmly. The background is a dense, blurred crowd of thousands of fans in the stadium stands, with many people wearing white and holding up commemorative scarves, creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere.

Music

A Jay-Z tribute comes to Water Street Tampa on Sunday

Wild 94.1-FM’s Joey Franchize pays respects to Hov at Alter Ego.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A medium-shot, outdoor photograph of two band members from Dogsmiles at the beach. On the left, a person with a dark beard and many arm tattoos is wearing a black head covering, white sunglasses, and green swim trunks; they are holding a blue aluminum beverage can in their right hand. On the right, a person with short brown hair is wearing yellow-tinted snorkeling goggles, a yellow bikini top, and light-blue bikini bottoms. They are standing on a white sand beach with the turquoise ocean and a clear sky in the background.

Music

Jacksonville anarcho-punk band Dogsmiles plays birthday concert in Tampa this weekend

Marinda from Tiger 54 is bringing a bunch of buds to Why Not.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Music

Öona Dahl kicks off Serious Soul-Hallucienda residency in St. Pete

Her Saturday set is one of three big shows coming to The Nest at St. Pete Brewing.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A medium-shot, live performance photograph of members of The Applebutter Express on stage at the Gasparilla Music Festival at Kiley Gardens in Tampa, Florida. In the foreground, a woman with long, straight light-brown hair is wearing black-rimmed sunglasses and a black long-sleeved shirt, singing passionately into a microphone. Beside them, to the left, a man with short brown hair, also wearing black-rimmed sunglasses and a black graphic t-shirt, is playing an acoustic guitar while singing into their own microphone. Both are illuminated by bright, soft outdoor light, with blurred trees and festival stage structures visible in the background.

Music

Applebutter Express headlines concert benefiting Gulfport’s Gabber newspaper

Donations will be accepted at The Blueberry Patch this weekend.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A close-up, outdoor live-performance photograph of musician Andy Karpay playing the mandolin. Karpay, in the foreground, is wearing a brown felt cowboy hat, wire-rimmed glasses, and a long-sleeved, dark brown button-down shirt with a textured pattern. They have a graying beard and are smiling warmly at the camera while strumming the mandolin. Behind them, partially visible in the frame, another musician wearing a tan cowboy hat and a light-green long-sleeved shirt plays an acoustic guitar. The background shows an outdoor park setting with dappled sunlight through trees, and a small white banner in the distance that partially reads 'DEL'.

Deviant Libation hosts bluegrass jam for Tampa mandolin player Andy Karpay

Karpay’s son, Deviant brewer Tim Ogden, has also revived a ‘NDK’ American wheat to celebrate.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A wide, eye-level, live performance photograph of the band Displace performing inside the Emerald Bar in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the center, a musician is playing a saxophone into a microphone. To the left, a guitarist in a light green t-shirt is playing an electric guitar, while a bassist stands partially obscured behind them. To the right of the saxophonist, another band member plays a second saxophone, and another musician stands further to the right. The stage area is dimly lit with colorful stage lighting, and the background reveals the cozy, wood-paneled interior and classic dive-bar atmosphere of the Emerald Bar.

Music

Displace releases ‘Necessity’ at the band’s final Crowbar show

The venue is set to close before August, and Displace’s new album is the last piece of a four-part concept.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A medium-shot, indoor portrait of musician Tim Kasher sitting at a dimly lit, high-end bar. They are wearing a charcoal-gray suit jacket over a light blue button-down shirt with a dark, patterned tie. Kasher is captured in a candid moment, looking off-camera and upward while holding a martini glass to their lips. The background is a warm, upscale bar interior, softly lit by circular wall sconces and featuring a dark, polished counter and a hint of holiday-style decorative lighting in the distance.

Music

Cursive songwriter Tim Kasher comes to Tampa on Friday

Appleseed Cast’s Christopher Crisci opens alongside Shae Krispinsky.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Paul Wilborn shares excerpt from his new novel about Tampa mobster Charlie Wall

“The Everlasting Life of Charlie Wall” was published in April by St. Petersburg Press.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A medium-shot, stage-performance photograph of percussionist and singer Sheila E. performing live at the Gainey Vineyard in Santa Ynez, California. They are positioned behind a large, shiny Zildjian cymbal, with a microphone on a stand positioned in front of them. Their face is illuminated by warm, stage-side lighting, and they are smiling while looking off-camera to the right. The background is dark and indistinct, highlighting the subject and the reflective surface of the cymbal in the foreground.

Music

Clearwater Jazz Holiday’s 2026 lineup includes Sheila E., Chris Botti, Larkin Poe, Wood Brothers, Dumpstaphunk and more

In its 47th year, Clearwater Jazz Holiday arrives complete with free viewing areas at Coachman Park.

by Ray Roa June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

A medium-shot, outdoor photograph of Andrew Joseph Jr. outside the Tampa Bay History Center in Tampa, Florida. They are looking off-camera with a contemplative, resolute expression. Joseph Jr. is wearing a tan, short-sleeved t-shirt that features a printed memorial graphic of their son, Andrew Joseph III, with the text 'JOURNEY FORWARD' and 'ANDREW JOSEPH III.' A silver chain with a large cross pendant hangs around their neck, and they are holding a black microphone in their right hand, suggesting they are addressing a crowd or event. The background features a large, vibrant, and slightly out-of-focus outdoor mural with blue and white abstract patterns.

Andrew Joseph Jr., Tampa activist and father who fought against qualified immunity, has died

A local memorial for the New Orleans native happens on Saturday.

by Ray Roa June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

A medium-shot, indoor candid photograph of two attendees enjoying hors d'oeuvres at the 'Meet the Chefs' event at The Vault in Tampa, Florida. On the left, a person with shoulder-length dark hair is wearing a deep magenta, long-sleeved wrap dress and holding a small black plate of food; they have a silver clutch bag draped over their arm. On the right, a person with long, dark wavy hair is wearing a colorful, sleeveless, floral-print dress with a low neckline and a small, bright pink handbag over their shoulder. Behind them, in the softly focused background, another guest is visible standing near a bar-height counter, and a stylized, dark-colored wall sculpture of a climbing figure is mounted on the light-colored wall.

It’s Tampa Bay Restaurant Month, and two Meet The Chefs events are coming to both sides of the Bay

Some of the area’s best cooks, chefs and culinarians will meet you at the Birchwood and The Vault this month.

by Ray Roa June 10, 2026June 11, 2026

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s big, air-conditioned beer festival returns this summer

Bolts Brew Fest comes to Benchmark International Arena in July.

by Ray Roa June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

A wide-angle, eye-level photograph of a press conference at Tampa Police Headquarters in Tampa, Florida. From left to right: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Police Chief Lee Bercaw, and Assistant Police Chief Brett Owen. Mayor Castor is wearing a dark blazer over a light-colored top. Chief Bercaw stands at the center podium, wearing a dark police uniform, and is speaking into a microphone. Assistant Chief Owen stands to the right, also in a dark police uniform. Behind the subjects, a large, ornate Tampa Police Department seal is mounted on the wall, flanked by an American flag on the left and the Florida state flag on the right.

Tampa Police chief Lee Bercaw to retire, Mayor Jane Castor says her successor will pick his

Asst. Chief Brett Owen will serve as acting chief, and Bercaw’s last day is Aug. 6.

by Ray Roa June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Red Bull cliff diving makes Florida debut in St. Pete contest

American athletes took first place as a bunch of crazies jumped into the North Yacht Basin.

by Ray Roa June 8, 2026June 9, 2026

A medium-shot, outdoor band portrait of American Football during a vibrant sunset. From left to right, the members are Steve Holmes, Mike Kinsella, Steve Lamos, and Nate Kinsella. They are standing in a horizontal line, facing the camera with neutral expressions. They are dressed in casual, dark-toned clothing against the backdrop of an open landscape under a clear, pale-blue to orange-gradient sky. A strong, warm-toned red light source is directed from the side, casting the band members in dramatic, saturated red and orange hues while creating deep shadows.

American Football, featuring the hottest dads in emo, brings world tour to Tampa this winter

The Ritz Ybor show is one of four Florida stops for the Chicago band.

by Ray Roa June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

A medium-shot, behind-the-scenes photograph of Devin Dominguez performing a site inspection at the Tampa Theatre in Tampa, Florida, on May 27, 2026. Dominguez is seen from behind, wearing a green hard hat and a beige button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves. They are reaching up with both hands, pointing toward an ornate, gilded architectural cornice featuring oval-shaped cutouts. The auditorium is filled with metal construction scaffolding, and the scene is illuminated by warm, localized work lighting against the dimly lit, expansive interior of the theater.

Arts & Entertainment

As Tampa Theatre restoration continues, the book about its 100-year history gets release date

Andy Huse’s posthumous ‘Tampa Theatre: A Century of Stories of the history of Tampa Theatre’ hits shelves Sept. 26.

by Ray Roa June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

Portrait of Tampa Bay songwriter Fessi K wearing a green and tan letterman-style varsity jacket. She has reddish-brown braided hair adorned with butterfly clips and beads, posing outdoors in front of a modern white building and a hilly landscape.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening June 4-10

Including a bunch of Crowbar concerts, the Sector.FM fundraiser and more.

by Ray Roa, Josh Bradley and J.C. Roddy June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

A medium-shot portrait of country singer-songwriter Sunny Sweeney. They have long, wavy, blonde hair with bangs framing their face and are smiling warmly while looking slightly off-camera to the right. They are wearing a black leather jacket adorned with prominent metallic studs along the lapels and sleeves. The background is a clean, minimalist, light gray studio backdrop that keeps the focus entirely on the subject.

Music

Country songwriter and Sirius XM DJ Sunny Sweeney brings a ‘Rhinestone Requiem’ to Tampa

Willie’s Roadhouse comes to the Skipperdome on June 11.

by Ray Roa June 4, 2026June 4, 2026