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 tight, medium-shot portrait of singer-songwriter Steve Earle. They are facing the camera with a steady, intense expression. They have thinning gray hair, circular wire-rimmed glasses, and a long, pointed gray beard. They are wearing a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt with a subtle, small-scale patterned print. The subject is lit from the side by strong, warm light that highlights the texture of their face and beard, casting the opposite side of their face into shadow. The background is a dark, out-of-focus brick wall.

Music

Fresh off Steve Buscemi collaboration, ‘City of Immigrants’ songwriter Steve Earle returns to Clearwater

He’s at Capitol Theatre on June 11.

by Ray Roa June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

A medium-shot live concert photograph of mike mantione performing with the band Five Eight at Crowbar in Ybor City. Decker is centered, intensely focused, and playing an electric guitar. They are wearing a dark t-shirt with a graphic of a horned character and the text 'AMYL AND THE S...' partially visible. The stage is bathed in a dramatic, saturated green wash of light that highlights the condensation on the performer's forehead and hair. The background is dark and shadowy, with glimpses of stage equipment and venue wall texture visible in the periphery.

Music

American power-pop giant Five Eight returns to Ybor City with new LP in tow

The June 11 gig is the band’s final Crowbar concert.

by Ray Roa June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

A medium-shot, low-light indoor photograph of attendees mingling during the No Clubs Presents 'Scene & Heard' event at Crowbar in Ybor City. In the foreground, two people are engaged in conversation. The person on the left has short, reddish-brown hair and glasses, and is wearing a gray graphic t-shirt and light blue jeans while holding a clear plastic cup. The person on the right has short dark hair and is wearing a black leather jacket. In the softly focused background, several other attendees are standing and talking. The dimly lit venue features warm overhead pendant lighting and walls densely covered with music posters and band stickers.

Music

Tampa music industry panel will discuss DIY approach to making your own space in 2026 events landscape

The no-cover discussion and networking session is part of No Clubs Presents’ Scene & Heard series.

by Ray Roa June 3, 2026June 9, 2026

A medium-shot outdoor portrait photograph of singer-songwriter Josh Rouse. They have short, swept-back graying dark hair and are wearing a light blue, short-sleeved button-down shirt featuring a tropical palm tree pattern. They are looking directly at the camera with a soft, relaxed smile. The background is softly out of focus, showing dark green foliage and hints of bright pink flowers under soft, natural lighting.

Music

Globetrotting indie-folk songwriter Josh Rouse plays intimate St. Pete concert at Kerouac house

Ella Jet opens on Saturday.

by Ray Roa June 3, 2026June 5, 2026

A top-down portrait photograph of two members of the Tampa band Pet Lizard lying in green grass surrounded by scattered colorful flowers. The member in the upper half of the frame is positioned upside down relative to the camera; they have a reddish-brown beard and are wearing a light blue and white vertically striped button-down shirt. The member in the lower half is right-side up, has dark hair, and is wearing a light, horizontally striped t-shirt. They are holding a pink and white daisy gently in front of their face, and the wooden body of an electric guitar is visible resting across their lap. Bright yellow, pink, magenta, and blue flowers dot the grass around their heads, creating a soft, artistic aesthetic.

Music

Emo Night Tampa’s no-cover 11th anniversary concert is also its last at Crowbar

The Saturday show is also Emo Night Tampa’s last show until Halloween.

by Ray Roa June 3, 2026June 3, 2026

A medium-shot live concert photograph of musician G. Love performing on stage. They are wearing a black tracksuit jacket with prominent white stripes down the sleeves, dark sunglasses, and a dark fedora-style hat. They are actively playing a black electric guitar with gold hardware while simultaneously utilizing a silver harmonica secured around their neck by a metal holder. Their head is tilted slightly upward toward a microphone as they perform. The background is a dark, shadowy stage environment punctuated by two bright, multi-bulb blue stage lights.

Music

Fresh off getting scammed over Bitcoin, Philly songwriter G. Love returns to Tampa Bay

Donavon Frankenreiter is back in town this weekend alongside Mr. Love.

by Ray Roa June 3, 2026June 3, 2026

A medium-shot portrait of artist Jesi Cason posing in front of a gallery wall covered with a grid of vibrant, colorful, and moodily lit photographic prints at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Ybor City. Cason is looking directly at the camera with a soft, contemplative expression, resting their chin on their hand. They have bright, two-toned orange and blonde hair, and are wearing a simple black tank top. Their arms are heavily covered in intricate, dark-ink tattoos. The background is a dense collage of small, square-formatted portraits, each bathed in saturated, neon-like stage colors—including deep blues, bright greens, and intense reds—that contrast sharply with Cason’s own monochrome attire.

Arts & Entertainment

Photographer Jesi Cason showcases ‘Alt Tampa’ at exhibition closing on June 14

Saint Petersburg Month of Photography’s Photo Laureate speaks to art lovers during a gallery talk on May 31.

by Ray Roa May 30, 2026May 30, 2026

A wide-angle, fish-eye live concert photograph of guitarist and vocalist Dave Decker performing with the band Big Sad at Microgroove in Tampa. Decker is centered, playing an orange-brown Gibson SG electric guitar while singing into a microphone. They are wearing a black t-shirt featuring a graphic of a large cat's face with the word 'IDLES' printed above it. The band is set up in a small, industrial-style room with exposed ceiling joists and red-painted wall accents in the background. Other band members are visible on the periphery, and a small, vintage-style amplifier sits on the floor to the right.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa photographer, musician, Dave Decker is guest at next installment of ‘Salud and Happy Days’ improv show

Expect big laughs when the Big Sad frontman teams up with Commodore comedians.

by Ray Roa May 29, 2026June 1, 2026

Music

Young The Giant cancels Tuesday Tampa show, and will play St. Pete instead

The California rock band now plays Jannus Live on June 3.

by Ray Roa May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

An eye-level exterior photograph of the Gen X Tavern storefront in downtown Tampa. The facade features a modern, neutral-toned building with a prominent, rectangular sign reading 'GEN X TAVERN' in clean, dark, sans-serif lettering. Below the sign is a large, glass-paneled entrance with several posters and menu displays visible inside the windows. The building's exterior is characterized by light gray architectural paneling and clean, industrial lines.

Soho Sushi will open ‘Nagi’ Japanese restaurant and lounge inside Tampa’s former Gen X Tavern

Gen X Tavern will have its last day on July 4, and Nagi hopes to open this fall.

by Ray Roa May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

An architectural rendering of the proposed Live Nation music venue in Ybor City at twilight. The multi-story building features a classic red-brick exterior with industrial-style windows. A long, illuminated marquee sign projects horizontally from the center of the facade, casting light onto the glass-walled entrance lobby below. Vertical LED light strips are integrated into the brickwork along the left side of the structure. The building is situated on a street corner with wet, reflective pavement, and the text 'MUSIC VENUE' is subtly overlaid in the upper left corner against a cloudy, dusk-colored sky.

Music

Citing grand oak, Tampa officials delay development of controversial Live Nation venue in Ybor City

The Barrio Latino Commission will return on July 28 to discuss the tree and other issues.

by Leif Helland and Ray Roa May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

A clean, minimalist interior photograph of the sushi bar at the Tampa restaurant Koya. The composition focuses on the warm, light-colored wooden counter, which is angled sharply in the foreground, creating a clean geometric line across the frame. Two small, rectangular dark slate plates sit neatly on the counter, ready for service. In the background, the scene is dimly lit and softly out of focus, revealing shelves filled with various bottles and containers, suggesting an authentic, focused preparation space. A small, round wooden bowl is placed near the edge of the counter, adding a soft, organic texture to the sleek, modern design.

Tampa Bay restaurants earn no new Michelin stars at 2026 award ceremony

Tampa restaurants Ebbe, Kosen, Koya and Rocca kept their one-star ratings.

by Colin Wolf and Ray Roa May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 29-June 4

Including Young The Giant, the Rum & Coke DJs, Buffalo Nichols and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley May 28, 2026May 29, 2026

Music

Buffalo Nichols, a rising star of American blues, plays St. Pete show on Friday

This show was originally booked at Bayboro Brewing Co., but has since moved to the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club two miles away.

by Ray Roa May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

A vibrant, eye-level live concert photograph of the band The Button Smashers performing on stage in front of a brick wall. The band members are dressed in Nintendo-inspired costumes. From left to right: the first member wears a red-horned Viking helmet and sunglasses, playing a trombone. The second member has a fuzzy, lion-like mane hood and is playing a trumpet. The third member wears a red-capped Toad mushroom hat and a blue vest, playing a saxophone. In the background, other band members are visible playing a violin, electric guitar, and drums, illuminated by bright blue stage lighting. The audience is visible on the far right, also partially bathed in cool-toned light.

Music

Tampa’s video game-inspired ska band plays an arcade anniversary concert—and cover includes unlimited game play

The Button Smashers celebrate reaching Level 10 with Lowry Parcade this weekend.

by Ray Roa May 28, 2026May 29, 2026

A warm, close-up portrait photograph of Tampa DJ Post Physique. They have long, voluminous dark curly hair and a warm, glowing complexion. They are resting their chin gently on their clasped hands, smiling warmly at the camera with a friendly, relaxed expression. A small nose piercing is visible. They are wearing a dark, textured top. The background is a clean, bright, and simple white-paneled wall, which keeps the focus entirely on the artist's cheerful expression.

Music

A no-cover, globetrotting ‘Diáspora’ DJ night comes to St. Pete on Friday

The Caribbean will meet Mississippi, Miami and more at The Bends.

by Ray Roa May 27, 2026May 27, 2026

Music

Rollins College-trained Hammond player ‘Shuga T’ plays no-cover Dunedin concert on Friday

His new LP, ‘Matriarch,’ comes out June 5.

by Ray Roa May 27, 2026May 27, 2026

Downtown Tampa’s retro-themed Gen X Tavern is closing this summer

Owner Dave Burton told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay he hopes to have a new concept open by October.

by Ray Roa May 27, 2026May 27, 2026

Music

Tampa Bay area drum and bass legends play one last Crowbar concert this weekend

There are just over 60 days until the end of the Ybor City venue.

by Ray Roa May 27, 2026May 27, 2026

A dramatic, high-contrast live concert photograph of two members of The Black Crowes performing on a dark stage. On the left, singer Chris Robinson is wearing a wide-brimmed black hat, a heavily patterned metallic suit jacket, and a long dark scarf. They are holding a microphone close to their mouth and singing intensely with their eyes closed. On the right, guitarist Rich Robinson has shoulder-length wavy hair and a beard, wearing a dark velvet-like jacket over a patterned shirt and white guitar strap. They are looking forward while playing a dark-colored electric guitar. A brilliant, starburst-style stage spotlight shines directly behind the guitarist, piercing through the dark background.

Music

The Black Crowes bring ‘A Pound of Feathers’ to Tampa on Sunday

Joining them are Whiskey Myers—the Texas band that recently joined the Crowes for a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Star Star”—and Southall.

by Ray Roa May 27, 2026May 27, 2026