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.
Posted inMusic
Tampa bands stage Thursday fundraiser concert for WMNF community radio
Mestaurant, Lychee Camp, Pet Lizard, Jinx and Shelby Sol are all on the bill.
Posted inMusic
DI jazz night curator Dominic Walker releases ‘Hurricane Summer’ LP this month
Drummer Paul Gavin, pianist John C. O’Leary III, saxophonist Jack Wilkins and vocalist Allison Nash oplay support.
Posted inMusic
Tampa Jazz Club taps trumpeter James Suggs for Sunday Gershwin tribute
The matinee is in Ybor City
Posted inMusic
In Clearwater this weekend, Caribbean-pop supergroup Astropical is set to lift minds and spirits
The show will be a counter to the darkness outside.
Posted inMusic
Expat Tampa rapper Gat$ brings new LP back home for Tampa Beat Weekend
The party actually spans two weekends and kicks off Saturday, Aug. 23.
Posted inMusic
Tampa rapper Queen of Ex returns to the stage for stacked concert of homegrown talent
Parriss & The Night bring a new single to New World, along with Perception, Philip Charos and 9henom.
Posted inMusic
Rohna, curator of Tampa’s wildly-popular Indie Night, releases new album this weekend
Do ‘Come Down’ to Crowbar on Friday night.
Posted inMusic
Tampa emo legend Pohgoh plays rare acoustic gig for ‘Sunday Service’ anniversary
Drummer Keith Ulrey said the band will cover the breadth of its more than 30-year career.
Posted inMusic
Katy Perry plays first big concert at Tampa’s newly-named Benchmark International Arena
Townies have been hot and cold about Amalie Arena’s new name.
Posted inMusic
Atlanta songwriter Zl!ster brings hip-pop sound to Tampa this month
Pilot Jonezz and Domino Pink open at New World Tampa.
Posted inNews & Views
Iconic Tampeño Vincent LoScalzo has died at the age of 88
The businessman was allegedly the don of the Trafficante Family, but family members say he was so much more.
Posted inNews & Views
Legendary Tampa Bay newsman Rob Lorei, who opened doors for countless others, is dead at age 70
Giving the community a microphone, and listening, was Lorei’s specialty,
Posted inNews & Views
‘Blueprint for Resistance’ talk launches new WMNF public affairs speaker series
On Thursday, Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith is the first ‘Wavemakers Live’ guest ever.
Posted inMusic
December concert from Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Raekown among best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay
The Chef will have Mobb Deep in tow, too.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
HCC’s ‘Silent Hawktion’ back-to-school art party returns to Ybor City this month
Bids start at $25.
Posted inNews & Views
Recently-converted Democrat David Jolly among those coming to Tampa town hall on immigration
The candidate for governor is at the Cuban Club on Tuesday.
Posted inMusic
Tampa Bay’s best live music happening August 15-21
Including Aaron Irwin Trio, Ednita Nazario, Grumptronix and more.
Posted inMusic
Homegrown guitar ace George Pennington releases ‘American Odyssey’ this weekend
Two of the Bay area’s sharpest rhythmic minds—drummer Rod Alnord and bassist Sebastian Siaca—lead Pennington’s five piece band.