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 medium, eye-level indoor photograph of Tom DeGeorge testifying at a witness table during a congressional hearing. They have a short, neatly trimmed graying beard and are wearing a dark suit jacket over a black collared shirt. They are leaning forward with a serious expression, speaking directly into a black gooseneck microphone. On the polished wooden table in front of them rests a white printed nameplate and a stack of printed documents. In the softly blurred background, the formal, dark wood-paneled walls and the elevated dais of the House Committee on the Judiciary room are visible under bright, even interior lighting.

Music

In fiery testimony, Tampa venue owner Tom DeGeorge calls Live Nation ‘the hogs at the top’

Last month, a federal jury said that the promotions company and its subsidiary Ticketmaster operate a monopoly.

by Ray Roa May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Mr. DeGeorge went to Washington on Monday, and there were fireworks. Last Monday in Washington D.C., Tom DeGeorge was on Capitol Hill as part of his continued fight for the country’s independent music venues. During the hearing at the House Committee on the Judiciary, DeGeorge—co-founder and owner of Crowbar in Ybor City—was asked to testify […]

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa lawyer and songwriter James Shaw will talk about the meaning of existence this weekend

His talk comes after an extended period of study, meditation and fasting—which means if you listen you might not have to do all that nonsense.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

An indoor portrait photograph of Tampa artist and Tempus Projects founder Tracy Midulla. They have shoulder-length, curly reddish-brown hair with bangs and are wearing a solid black, long-sleeve boat-neck top. They are leaning casually against a white wall on the right and looking directly at the camera with a gentle, neutral expression. The softly blurred background features a bright, naturally lit hallway and a section of an exposed brick or wood pillar.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa art scene lifer, leader, Tracy Midulla, will speak to Creative Mornings on Friday

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

A vibrant, high-energy nightclub photograph of partygoers dancing at Dyke Night St. Pete on the patio of Crowbar. In the foreground on the left, an individual with short curly hair, wearing a light t-shirt, tan pants, a black choker, and a gold heart necklace, is smiling widely with one arm raised in the air. Next to them in the center, another individual with long brown hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, is dancing with both arms raised high above their head, holding a clear plastic cup in one hand and smiling with their eyes closed. The dark, lively venue is intensely illuminated by bright green light beams crossing the frame, along with horizontal orange light trails that capture the energetic movement of the dancers. Additional partygoers are visible dancing in the softly blurred background.

Music

Dyke Night St. Pete welcomes ‘Gays Raised In the South’ to June throwdown in Ybor City

The collective turns Crowbar into the Pussycat Lounge on June 4.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

A daytime outdoor photograph of the front page of The Gabber Newspaper standing upright on a white circular table. The newspaper masthead reads 'GABBER' with a 'FREE' banner next to it. The main headline, 'Writing for Rescues', sits above images of two book covers, including one titled 'Gotcha Day'. The bottom of the front page features two advertisements with QR codes, including one for the Gulfport Night Market. To the left, several other folded newspapers lie flat on the table. The background features lush green palm fronds and the top corner of a gray metal mesh chair on the right.

Gulfport’s Gabber newspaper says ‘the paper is done’ if July fundraising goal is not met

Founded in 1968, the paper now faces a $90K shortfall, plus $70K in legal fees.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

A black-and-white live concert photograph of guitarist Sulynn Hago performing on stage at Crowbar in Ybor City. In the sharp foreground, Hago has shoulder-length hair and is wearing a dark, vertically striped button-down shirt. They are looking down with intense focus while playing a white Fender-style electric guitar with a dark pickguard. A microphone stand is positioned just in front of them. In the softly blurred background to the right, a second band member wearing a dark short-sleeve shirt is visible playing a light-colored electric guitar. A bright stage spotlight flares directly behind the microphone stand, cutting through the dark venue.

Music

Photos: Expat Tampa guitarist Sulynn Hago shows Tampa the ‘Doghouse’

Bad, Bad Things and Big Sad played support at Crowbar.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

A dynamic, wide-angle live concert photograph taken from the stage behind the band Rohna, looking out into a packed, enthusiastic audience at Crowbar. In the center foreground, a band member with long brown hair, wearing an open gray short-sleeve shirt over a white t-shirt, is playing a black electric guitar or bass. Behind them, another member wearing a green t-shirt has both arms raised high toward the crowd. To the far left, a drummer is partially visible playing a drum kit in front of a massive, brightly lit LED screen displaying a vibrant, colorful psychedelic pattern. In the bottom right foreground, a keyboard rests on a stand. The dense crowd is pressed against the stage, cheering, smiling, and raising their hands under dim overhead venue lighting.

Music

Photos: Everyone having the time of their lives when Rohna played its final ‘Indie Night’ at Crowbar

Now, the series will look for a new home as it seeks to re-create the vibe in the wake of the Ybor City venue’s imminent closure this summer.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Architectural rendering of the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Tampa Florida, featuring a modern glass pavilion roof and a vibrant fan plaza.

Op-ed: ‘Just say no’ to Rays stadium deal, says former Tampa elected officials

A ‘no’ vote this week sends a strong message to the owners and MLB that if a stadium is built here, WE will set the terms and WE won’t be ‘played.’

By John Dingfelder, Mariella Smith, Orlando Gudes, Pat Kemp, Linda Saul-SenaMay 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Nominations for Creative Loafing’s 2026 Best of the Bay are now open

The nomination period is open through June 10.

by Ray Roa May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

A live concert photograph of country music artist Willie Nelson performing outdoors. In the sharp foreground, Nelson is wearing a signature red bandana headband, a black t-shirt, and a colorful woven guitar strap. They have long gray hair and a white beard, and are looking warmly out toward the audience while playing a heavily worn, light-wood acoustic guitar. In the softly blurred background to the right, a second band member wearing glasses, a dark jacket, and a brown shirt is visible. The scene is set against a dark, out-of-focus background of trees.

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 15-21

Including Willie Nelson, Indie Night’s Crowbar finale, Have Gun Will Travel & more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

"A dynamic, high-energy live concert photograph of singer Carla Harvey from the band Lords of Acid performing on stage. Harvey is captured mid-scream with their mouth wide open and long, dark teal-tinted hair flying wildly around their face. They are wearing a shiny, black latex-style bodysuit. In the softly blurred background, another band member with short blonde hair is visible playing a keyboard and raising a black microphone stand high into the air. In the foreground, the raised arms of enthusiastic audience members reach toward the stage, with one hand prominently making a 'rock on' or 'horns' gesture. The dark venue is intensely illuminated by vibrant green stage lighting. To the right, a venue pillar heavily covered in band stickers is visible."

Music

Freaky, fun, EBM favorite Lords of Acid returns to Tampa on Sunday

Bring your own nipple tape and latex.

by Ray Roa May 15, 2026May 18, 2026

A wide-angle, fisheye-lens portrait photograph of DJs Blenda and Shafiq posing together in a dimly lit nightclub setting. On the left, Blenda is wearing a tiger-stripe patterned cap, a white t-shirt, and a gold chain, leaning with one arm resting on a stack of vinyl records next to a DJ turntable. They are holding up two fingers in a peace sign. On the right, Shafiq has a shaved head, a graying goatee, and is wearing a brightly patterned red, blue, and white dashiki-style shirt with their arms casually crossed. Blenda has their left arm wrapped around Shafiq's shoulder. Behind them is an exposed brick wall heavily covered in layered hip-hop concert flyers and red graffiti, illuminated by red LED string lights strung along the ceiling.

Music

DJs Blenda and Shafiq take Ybor City to ‘Church’ on Sunday

OGs of the scene return to Crowbar for one more session.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A brightly illuminated, aerial twilight photograph of the Hindu Temple of Florida in Tampa. The ornate temple features a massive, multi-tiered front tower, known as a gopuram, which is intricately detailed with traditional carvings. The building is lit with warm architectural lighting that makes it glow against the darkening landscape. A grand, wide staircase leads up to the main entrance. At the ground level, white paved walkways geometric patterns across a manicured green lawn. In the background, the horizon is ablaze with a vibrant orange and yellow sunset that fades into a dark blue evening sky.

Music

Tampa Hindu Temple hosts tabla and harmonium concerts this weekend

Vocal Mela: Festival of Indian Classical Singing also includes Brajeswar Mukherjee and Anirban Chakrabarty.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A brightly lit live concert photograph of the band Have Gun, Will Travel performing on a small stage at Shuffle in Tampa. In the center foreground, a band member wearing a yellow t-shirt, dark jeans, and a baseball cap is playing a white bass guitar. To the right, another member with shoulder-length hair, wearing a light blue short-sleeve shirt, is singing enthusiastically into a microphone and holding up a tambourine with one hand while standing behind a green keyboard. Two other band members playing instruments are visible in the background to the left. The stage features an exposed slatted wooden ceiling and a dark blue back wall, strongly illuminated by a bright blue stage light on the left. Several guitar effect pedals and cables are scattered on the floor in the foreground.

Music

Tampa’s Have Gun, Will Travel is angrier than ever on new EP

The Americana king leans into the rock ahead of its

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A low-light, nighttime group photograph of the six members of the band Holy Dose standing together outdoors. The band is arranged in a casual, staggered line facing the camera against a very dark background illuminated only by softly blurred string lights overhead. The members are dressed in casual streetwear, with most wearing baseball caps and dark graphic t-shirts. In the center foreground, one member with a shaved head is wearing an open plaid flannel shirt layered over a light-colored t-shirt with a globe graphic and the text 'THE WORLD IS YOURS'. The overall lighting is dim and heavily shadowed, creating a raw and gritty atmosphere.

Music

Tampa rock band Holy Dose will play haunting EP in full on Friday

‘Sharp Decline’ is a gut punch for anyone totally defeated by where late stage capitalism has left Americans.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

Music

A beat concert and ‘Street Fighter VI’ tournament happens in Ybor City this Friday

Ft. Myers’ Hell’z Own, André DeSaint, and Kalib play sets.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A daytime exterior photograph of a commercial storefront in Tampa. The building features a light yellow brick facade on the left and a muted sage-green painted entrance. The entrance includes glass double doors with a multi-pane transom window above, flanked by large glass display windows. The street-facing windows reflect a city street with parked cars, mature trees, and a building across the way. Inside the bottom right window, a small poster for the Gasparilla Music Festival is visible. On the brick wall to the left, a small dark plaque is mounted beneath a black gooseneck light fixture and a security camera.

Rooster & the Till founder to open music-driven ‘Peppermint Lounge’ in Tampa Heights

Ty Rodriguez plans to open the concept this fall at 1607 N Franklin St.

by Ray Roa May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

A wide-angle, daytime exterior photograph of the Supernatural Food & Wine storefront in Tampa. The building features a bright yellow scalloped awning extending over a section of wall painted vibrant teal, which displays the words 'Coffee Donuts' in large, red stylized script above a pointing arrow. Beneath the awning is a glass window with a sign reading 'ORDER INSIDE PICK-UP HERE', situated next to a framed wooden menu board and the glass entrance door. To the right of the entrance, the building's white wall is decorated with a colorful geometric mural. The sidewalk is deeply shaded by a large, leafy green tree. Two individuals are visible walking on the sidewalk to the right: one wearing a light purple dress and the other wearing a bright orange shirt and a dark hat. The reflection of street-parked cars is visible in the shop's front window.

Guy Fieri did indeed film ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ at Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine—and the episode will air on May 22

The Supernatural crew is holding a watch party at Mighty Fine.

by Ray Roa May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

"A high-energy, fisheye-lens live concert photograph taken from the stage, looking out into a packed, enthusiastic crowd at Crowbar. In the center foreground, a musician is dynamically playing a white electric guitar or bass. The dense audience is pressed right up against the stage, with dozens of attendees cheering, smiling, and raising their hands in the air. In the bottom left foreground, an attendee wearing a backward white baseball cap looks up toward the performer. The dark, intimate venue is illuminated by bright overhead stage lights, capturing the intense, lively atmosphere of a punk or indie rock show.

Music

Tampa Indie Night founders say the sense of community they’ve built goes beyond the venue

The popular concert series stages its final Crowbar concerts on Friday-Saturday.

by Ray Roa May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

A daytime photograph taken from behind of Tampa artist Jay Giroux standing outdoors in front of a white corrugated metal roll-up door. They are holding a large, yellow rectangular screen-printing frame with both hands, facing away from the camera. Giroux is wearing a backward gray baseball cap and a bright, multi-colored tie-dye t-shirt with the phrase 'JUST HAPPY LITTLE ACCIDENTS' printed in large, stacked black letters on the back. Tattoos are visible on their left forearm. To the right of the metal door is a gray painted cinderblock wall.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa art scene staples open new ‘General Admission’ gallery on Thursday

General Admission opens holds a stacked collaborative show for its Ybor City opening.

by Ray Roa May 13, 2026May 13, 2026