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

Tampa Bay Journalism Project is a nonprofit-driven effort to unlock and amplify more local, non-paywalled news and information

Central to the effort is a coalition of non-paywalled websites sharing each other’s work with their unique audiences.

by Ray Roa March 19, 2026June 2, 2026

Musician Justino Lee Walker of Anthill Cinema performing live on stage. The person has curly dark hair and glasses, wearing a black t-shirt while playing a light green electric guitar. In the background, another performer in a red shirt is visible under bright stage spotlights and a large red star graphic.

Music

Tampa Bay prog-rock favorite Anthill Cinema is raising funds to finish its next album

Gulfport’s Blueberry Patch hosts a concert to support the effort this weekend.

by Ray Roa March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

A screen capture of DJ Ryan Rose performing a 'How A Sunset Sounds' set. The person has a dark beard and wears a dark green hoodie with white stripes on the sleeves and large black headphones. They are focused on a silver DJ controller and a laptop on a red surface, with a blurred background of large windows and a dark lounge interior.

Music

Ryan Rose celebrates ‘How A Sunset Sounds’ second anniversary next month

‘Sunset’ celebrates its second anniversary in April.

by Ray Roa March 18, 2026March 19, 2026

High-angle aerial view of the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa. The iconic white tensile fabric roof covers the stage and seated pavilion, surrounded by green lawns and the sprawling parking areas of the Florida State Fairgrounds under a clear blue sky.

Music

‘Robbing them blind baby’: Evidence from Live Nation-Ticketmaster trial shows Tampa fans as the butt of a joke

The comments over exorbitant parking prices comes as Florida and other states continue to fight the concert giant.

by Ray Roa March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

The exterior of The Chattaway, a historic restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida. The pink wooden building features a mural of pink flamingos and green palm fronds. A white sign reading 'Chattaway Drive-In' sits atop a gabled roof, surrounded by lush tropical plants, succulents, and a large oak tree under a clear sky.

St. Pete’s Chattaway restaurant will close this summer: ‘It’s definitely bittersweet’

The property is under contract, and expects to have a new owner by August.

by Ray Roa March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, an unidentified woman in a red shirt, and current Tampa Mayor Jane Castor posing together at the River-O-Green festival. Buckhorn stands on the left holding an Irish flag, and all three are dressed in festive attire with the bright green dyed Hillsborough River in the background.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Tampa celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with River O’Green and downtown parade

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was on hand to witness the tradition he started in 2012.

by Dave Decker and Ray Roa March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

"A group of people marching during the People's Pride Coalition event in Ybor City. A person in the foreground carries a large blue, pink, and white Transgender Pride flag. The marchers are positioned in front of the historic, white-pillared Italian Club building under a clear, sunny sky.

‘Pride means fight back’: Tampa activists stage People’s Pride march through Ybor City [PHOTOS]

by Dave Decker and Ray Roa March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

Musician John Legend performing live at a grand piano. He wears a maroon suit jacket over a white collared shirt and sings into a microphone. The background is dark with purple stage lighting and subtle bokeh light spots resembling stars.

Music

Interview: Before Clearwater concert, John Legend talks new Broadway project, prison reform, and more

EGOT out of the way, the 47-year-old reconnected with CL to talk parenting, preserving life and the things that get him worked up.

by Ray Roa March 15, 2026March 17, 2026

Professional skateboarder and musician Mike Vallely performing a trick on a concrete barrier with graffiti. The person is mid-air, crouching over a blue patterned skateboard; the background shows a gravel path, green bushes, and a clear sky.

Arts & Entertainment

Street skating legend Mike Vallely comes to Tampa Bay this month

He’s hanging in Tarpon Springs, then doing the ‘Concrete Campfire’ session and talk at SPoT.

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Exterior wide shot of the historic Tampa Union Station building under a bright blue sky with white clouds. The red brick structure features large arched windows, white stone accents, and a symmetrical facade with multiple dark entry doors.

Spring hard hat tour offers insider look at Tampa Union Station renovation

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Musician Eemmyy performing on stage at Crowbar in Ybor City during an International Women’s Day concert. The artist, seen from behind wearing a patterned green jacket, raises an arm toward an enthusiastic, crowded audience under low club lighting.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening March 13-19

Including Gabriel Jacoby, John Legend, Cult Member, and more.

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

The four members of the band Cozy In The Black pose in a dimly lit room with walls covered in white graffiti and stickers. The central figure wears a large faux-fur trapper hat, a lace-trimmed skirt, and tall brown boots; the other three members stand behind them wearing eclectic headwear, including a red and white knit cap and a black beanie.

Music

WMNF Tampa hosts second ‘Save Our Soundwaves’ concert on Thursday

Art-punk, rock and pop are all on the agenda.

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Music

The Florida Orchestra says ‘pay-what-you-want’ at insider Mozart concert

Michael Francis sheds light on the ‘Jupiter Symphony’ before the performance on March 19.

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Members of the Tampa band Right On Time performing live on a dark stage with red and blue lighting. In the foreground, a person sings passionately while playing a black bass guitar. A drummer and another guitarist are visible in the background under a 'New World' venue sign.

Music

Pop-punk comes to the movies this month at Tampa’s Sun-Ray Cinema

Right On Time leads the way with ‘Strange Sounds From Seminole Heights.’

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Music

Sunday concert aims to ‘Engage’ Hillsborough Democrats

Two powerhouse emcees are on the bill along with rock outfits, and DJ Deacon.

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Musician June Bunch lying down against a mosaic background made of rice, black beans, and brown beans arranged in an ornate, halo-like pattern. The person wears a vintage white high-neck lace blouse and looks off to the side with a serene expression.

Music

A no-cover ‘Women In Music’ concert closes Tampa Shuffle anniversary weekend

June Bunch is on the Sunday show along with Deb Ruby, Boycott, Melissa Grady and Ashley Smith.

by Ray Roa March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Musician Zach Bryan wearing a light blue denim shirt and sitting on a brown leather couch in a room with wood-paneled walls. The person has visible tattoos on their arms and looks off-camera; framed photos are on the wall behind them.

Music

Moody country star Zach Bryan plays second Tampa stadium concert this weekend

He is joined by a stellar supporting cast that includes Ohio pop-folk darling Caamp.

by Ray Roa March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

DJ Cub performing a live vinyl set at an outdoor night event. The person wears a black hoodie and a dark baseball cap, leaning over two turntables and a mixer on a table. Lush green plants and a 'Hampton' sign are visible in the background.

Music

New World Tampa hosts an indie-rock dance party that’ll get you home by 10 PM

No AARP card required.

by Ray Roa March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Music

Emo Night Tampa welcomes psych-folk songwriter Jaron Jammer for no-cover Saturday show

Nephew is on the bill, too.

by Ray Roa March 12, 2026March 14, 2026

Musician Liam Hayden, known as Cult Member, standing in a grassy field at sunset. The person wears a black zip-up hoodie with a white skeleton print on the chest, black pants, and a black baseball cap. A long wooden fence and grazing cattle are visible in the background.

Music

Québécois electro producer Cult Member brings ‘New Life’ to Tampa

Liam Hayden is at Crowbar this weekend.

by Ray Roa March 12, 2026March 12, 2026