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

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

A casual indoor group portrait photograph of the three Rum & Coke DJs sitting together against a plain light beige wall. From left to right: Jesus Rodriguez has short dark hair and a light beard, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans, sitting with their hands resting on their knees. In the center, James Alvarez-Bacon (DJ Kumi) has long dark locs and a light beard, wearing a light gray t-shirt, leaning slightly forward. On the right, Harold Fandino has short dark hair and a dark beard, wearing a black t-shirt with a small colorful graphic and dark pants. In the foreground, resting on the light wooden crates in front of the group, are a glass bottle of Coca-Cola, a clear glass liquor bottle, a small textured object, and a glass filled with a dark liquid.

Music

Famed Miami DJs Rum & Coke make Tampa debut this weekend—and the party will be over by 9 PM

The trio has roots at Gramps and Dante’s Hi-Fi, and recently performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

by Ray Roa May 27, 2026May 27, 2026

‘These are sanctuaries of dissent’: Before Tampa visit, Amy Goodman talks independent media, hope, and more

Goodman and filmmaker Tia Lessin bring ‘Democracy Now!’ documentary to Sun-Ray Cinema on June 5.

by Ray Roa May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

A dramatic, theatrical stage photograph of actors Alysha Deslorieux and Ken Wulf Clark performing as Middle Allie and Middle Noah in The Notebook. They are illuminated by bright overhead stage spotlights against a pitch-black background while heavy, simulated rain falls all around them. In the center, Clark, wearing a wet white tank top and blue jeans, is standing and lifting Deslorieux into the air. Deslorieux, wearing a wet, knee-length blue dress, is looking down into Clark's eyes with their hands resting gently near Clark's face. The image captures an intense, romantic embrace in the middle of a downpour.

Arts & Entertainment

‘The Notebook’ musical, with songs by Ingrid Michaelson, opens this week in Tampa

It runs through May 31 at Straz Center.

by Ray Roa May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

A bright, outdoor daytime portrait photograph of musical artist Santigold sitting casually on a tall wooden stool. They have long dark braided hair, are wearing dark sunglasses, and are dressed in a black-and-white graphic text long-sleeve top layered over sheer, black lace pants. They are resting their arms comfortably while looking toward the camera. They are posed in front of a rustic, brightly painted pink wooden building. To the left, the words 'GOOD OVER EVIL' are painted in black on the pink wooden planks. A simple, weathered wooden table sits directly behind the stool under a red-and-white awning trim

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 22-28

Including Santigold, Social Wreckage, Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

An indoor promotional portrait photograph of the two members of the band Teen Suicide sitting closely together on a brown leather couch. The member on the left has long, vibrant dark green hair and is wearing a white, slightly sheer long-sleeve dress with black knee-high socks. The member on the right has short, dark curly hair and a light mustache, wearing wire-rimmed glasses and an unbuttoned cream-colored cardigan with large, colorful abstract graphics over a white shirt and dark pants. They are looking directly at the camera with relaxed, neutral expressions. The softly lit background features a window covered by sheer white curtains directly behind them, a dark wooden table to the left, and a small side table to the right.

Music

Before move to Portland, Orlando rock favorite Teen Suicide plays one more show at Crowbar

Sam Ray and Kitty Ray are in Ybor City on Wednesday.

by Ray Roa May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

A wide, indoor promotional press photograph of the seven members of the Dave Matthews Band standing in a horizontal line. The band is posed inside a stylized industrial space with a textured, light-colored wall, exposed horizontal metal piping, and two round, warm-glowing industrial lights mounted above them. The members are dressed in a cohesive wardrobe of dark, casual jackets, coats, and dark pants. Fifth from the left, frontman Dave Matthews is wearing a dark suit jacket over a black shirt, standing with their hands clasped together. The other six members are wearing various accessories, including knit beanies, a flat cap, and sunglasses. They are standing on a smooth, gray concrete floor.

Music

Dave Matthews Band returns to Tampa on Tuesday

DMB’s summer tour includes three new venues, but is back at the old Gary.

by Ray Roa May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

Music

Canada’s other famous rock-trio, Triumph, plays Tampa reunion concert on Sunday

The band peaked in the late-’70s and early-’80s thanks to hard-rock tunes like ‘Lay It on the Line.’

by Ray Roa May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

A vibrant, nighttime live performance photograph of electronic musician Taetro DJing at the St. Pete Pier. In the right foreground, Taetro has short dark hair and a beard, wearing a blue t-shirt with over-ear headphones resting on their head. They are looking down intently while using both hands to adjust the knobs and sliders on a large, illuminated DJ mixer controller. A tall black speaker stands vertically in the center of the frame, separating the DJ booth from the audience. In the softly blurred background to the left, a crowd of partygoers is visible mingling and dancing. The entire scene is heavily illuminated by bright, moody blue and cyan stage lighting.

Music

Another pop-up EDM concert is coming to the St. Pete Pier this weekend

And it’ll be over in time for dinner.

by Ray Roa May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

A bright, outdoor daytime portrait photograph of the four members of the band Fox n' Vead standing in a row in front of the brightly lit, solid yellow side of a large trailer. From left to right: the first member has long hair and a mustache, wearing a black bucket hat and black overalls over a t-shirt, smiling with their arms crossed. The second member is wearing a white backward baseball cap, glasses, and a black t-shirt, holding a sunburst-finish electric guitar with both hands. The third member is wearing a loose, olive-green short-sleeve button-down shirt and dark pants with their hands resting casually at their sides. The fourth member has a beard and is wearing a backward baseball cap, a black graphic t-shirt, and camouflage pants, holding a white electric guitar by the neck. The overall image has a warm, distinctly retro color grade.

Music

This weekend’s Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival is a big St. Pete concert, too

The festival takes over Vinoy Park Saturday-Sunday.

by Ray Roa May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

A bright, outdoor daytime portrait photograph of the four members of the Tampa band Social Wreckage standing closely together. They are shot from a slightly low angle against a clear, solid blue sky. From left to right: the first member has long curly red hair and is wearing a dark, horizontally striped long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans with their hands on their hips. The second member has blonde hair and is wearing an open red-and-black plaid flannel shirt over a dark graphic t-shirt and dark pants, with their hands in their pockets. The third member has dark curly hair, wearing a loose tan short-sleeve t-shirt and dark pants; they have both hands gripping the sides of their neck and their mouth is open wide as if yelling. The fourth member has shoulder-length light brown hair with bangs, wearing an olive green sweater and denim shorts over black fishnet tights.

Music

After opening for Underoath, Tampa rock band Social Wreckage will release new EP this weekend

Face The Fence, High Press, and Area of Refuge open at Crowbar.

by Ray Roa May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

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

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