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 high-energy live concert photograph showing indie rock band Rohna posing on stage with a cheering crowd in the background at Crowbar in Ybor City, Florida on May 15, 2026. Captured from a low front-of-stage angle, band members kneel and crouch together while raising their arms, surrounded by stage equipment, pedalboards, and drum cymbals as an enthusiastic audience behind them holds up hand signs and cheers.

Music

Tampa’s extremely-popular Indie Night concert series is expanding to The Ritz with big Halloween party

Organizers are raising the bar by heading to a larger one.

by Ray Roa September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

An indoor, medium-shot photograph of performer Justin Peters on a small stage at The Commodore in Tampa. Peters is caught in an energetic, mid-movement stance, leaning slightly to their left with one leg kicked out and arms outstretched. They have short, dark, tousled hair and are wearing a light-colored, short-sleeved plaid button-down shirt tucked into dark blue jeans. They are smiling broadly at the audience. The stage is sparsely furnished with two wooden stools and a small wooden chair. The background is a dark, painted cinder-block wall, and the stage floor is covered with a patterned, worn area rug. The scene is illuminated by warm, focused stage lighting.

Arts & Entertainment

Co-founder of Tampa comedy theater is battling brain cancer, with help from friends throwing a benefit this weekend

Bartenders are donating tips, Taco Dale is cooking, and a shitload of great bands play at the Legion this Saturday.

by Ray Roa September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

A wide-angle live performance photograph showing pop-punk band Yellowcard performing on stage at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida on July 23, 2023. Captured from low in front of the stage, frontman Ryan Key leaps into the air with his legs spread wide atop a metal stage platform while playing a white electric guitar under bright yellow and orange spotlights. Behind him, bandmates perform on bass, guitar, and drums set against a backdrop illuminated with blue sky and cloud visuals.

Music

Yellowcard tops 97X ‘Legends’ lineup coming to Clearwater on Friday

by Ray Roa September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

A wide exterior photograph showing the Technology Building at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus on Jan. 25, 2021. Captured under a bright blue sky with light clouds, the white multi-story academic building features large windows and prominent dark lettering reading "TECHNOLOGY" on its upper left facade. In the foreground, an asphalt driveway and parking area lead past a green lawn, leafy trees, and reddish cypress trees on the right side of the campus grounds.

Letters: With each year at Hillsborough College, the home of the Hawks feels less like the nest I once knew

Elegy for the Hawk.

By Josh CorsonSeptember 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A film production still from "Manok." Captured inside a open-air vehicle against a bright blue sky, two figures sit side by side on blue seats wearing sunglasses. On the left, a person reclines backward with their head tilted up, wearing a wide-brimmed black hat with a feather accent and a vibrant, multicolored geometric jacket over floral patterned trousers while holding a peace sign. On the right, a person with shoulder-length dark hair rests their arm along the seat back, wearing a black leather jacket, dark top, and jeans while looking toward the right.

Arts & Entertainment

TIGLFF’s 37th annual queer film festival takes over St. Pete and Tampa this month

Green Light Cinema and Sun-Ray Cinema play host.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

Gulfport’s annual Geckofest party brings 10 hours of untamed fun to the waterfront

The 26th iteration of the festival happens on Saturday.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

An abstract color fine art photograph titled "Wired" by photographer Geoffrey Baris (rear printed to plexiglass) depicting water reflections. Captured in a vertical framing set within a dark grey mat border, the image presents distorted, wavy reflections of sailboat masts, rigging lines, and yellow and dark nautical flags shimmering across gentle water ripples against a bright, pale sky-colored background. The artist's signature, "Geoffrey Baris," appears in white script in the lower right corner.

Arts & Entertainment

Creative Pinellas taps 50 artists to get loud at ‘Amped’ fundraiser this weekend

The exhibition featuring about 75 pieces is up through Nov. 1.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A close-up horror photograph of a weathered, blood-stained porcelain doll displayed as a Halloween prop or haunted house decoration. The doll features pale, cracked white skin, milky white blank eyes, a stitched wound across its forehead, dark red fake blood smeared around its mouth and torso, thin wisps of dark hair, and a worn grey shirt, set against a rustic metal and wood background.

Arts & Entertainment

Ybor City’s extra freaky Tabernacle Of Oddities returns this weekend

It takes over the Cuban Club for two days.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A low-light, candid photograph taken inside a haunted attraction showing two women reacting in fear near a monstrous prop at Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park. In the left foreground, a woman wearing a black t-shirt and crossbody bag reacts with wide eyes, an open mouth, and raised hands, while a companion peeks over her shoulder from behind. On the right, a massive animatronic or prop monster mouth with sharp, blood-stained yellow fangs reaches toward them out of the dark, shadowy backdrop.

Arts & Entertainment

Fresh off $2.5 million renovation, Scream-A-Geddon returns to Dade City this weekend

The horror park will operate through Nov. 1.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A close-up photograph showcasing a row of Fender electric guitars hanging on display at Legends Guitars in Tampa, Florida. Captured at an angled perspective along the store rack, the foreground features a white Telecaster, a butterscotch blonde Telecaster, a three-tone sunburst Telecaster, a bright blue Telecaster, and a sunburst Jaguar with a tortoiseshell pickguard, alongside additional electric guitars suspended in the background against a light wooden wall.

Tampa’s Legends Guitars reopens under new ownership, 15 years after closing

Expect a guitar raffle, giveaways, and more on Saturday.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 4, 2026

A black-and-white close-up portrait photograph of Richard J. Girard II. Looking slightly to his left with a gentle smile, Girard wears dark horn-rimmed eyeglasses, a dark fedora-style woven hat, a full beard and mustache, and shoulder-length wavy hair. In the background, a brick wall covered with faint graffiti and lettering is visible behind his right shoulder.

Arts & Entertainment

‘Molotov Cocktails, Pipe Bombs & Other Family Recipes’ book release among top events in Tampa Bay [September 3-10]

Plus another Tampa Comic Convention, Pride events and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley September 1, 2026September 2, 2026

Tampa Bay Beer Week hosts ‘Halfway There’ fundraiser beer festival this weekend

There’s still a lot to drink to as far as the Bay area craft beer scene goes.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A full-length action photograph showing Tampa coffee roaster Greg Spadaccini in mid-swing at an indoor virtual golf simulator. Positioned on artificial turf before a large digital screen displaying swing analytics, Spadaccini holds a golf club at the top of his backswing above a white golf ball. He wears a black t-shirt, tan shorts, sneakers, and a black baseball cap, with visible tattoos covering his arms and legs, set within a dark simulator bay equipped with an overhead projector and black wall enclosure.

Spaddy’s marks 10-year anniversary by roasting Tampa’s favorite golfing coffee roaster

The neighborhood is gonna party in that sketchy alley behind the indoor country club.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A low-angle live performance photograph by Phil DeSimone showing electro-funk duo Chromeo performing on stage at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida. Captured from stage-right level, musician Dave 1 reclines back on a stage riser with his legs crossed, wearing dark trousers and black leather boots. Adjacent to him stands a chrome synthesizer stand custom-shaped like a pair of women's mannequin legs, illuminated by blue stage lighting, atmosphere haze, and light beams.

Music

Chromeo headlines Water Street Tampa’s fall ‘Beats on the Street’ music festival

More than two dozen artists will take part in the no-cover party happening in September.

by Ray Roa August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

A screenshot from a YouTube broadcast showing Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak speaking during a Tampa City Council meeting on August 27, 2026, at 1:25 PM. Captured in a medium shot, Councilwoman Hurtak sits in a black tufted leather chair speaking into a desktop microphone while addressing the council agenda regarding the Tampa Bay Rays Development Agreement. She wears rectangular eyeglasses and a green button-down shirt patterned with white polka dots, with the American flag visible behind her to the left and a live broadcast graphic overlay on the lower right.

Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak says she has breast cancer

The 49-year-old, who is also running for mayor, said she will start treatment on Monday.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

Music

Downtown Tampa’s staple ‘Rock The Park’ concert series celebrates 16th anniversary on September 3

The locally-grown concert series is a bonafide staple of life in the 813.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

A promotional group photograph of the indie rock band Cheekface featuring three members posing together in front of a dark perforated metal fence. In the center foreground, vocalist and guitarist Greg Katz leans toward the camera with his hands extended outward in a dramatic wide perspective, wearing a red short-sleeved athletic jersey printed with "MEXICO" in white lettering across the chest. To his left, bassist Amanda Tannen smiles warmly with wavy brown hair, wearing a metallic silver top. To his right, drummer Mark Trombino (or Echo Katz/bandmate) wearing round black-rimmed glasses and a blue t-shirt leans in close, resting his head near Greg's shoulder.

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Viral nerd-rock band Cheekface comes to Tampa on Wednesday

Catbite opens at New World Tampa.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026

Music

Al Downing Jazz Association hosts a big ol’ guitar concert in St. Pete this weekend

You know damn well they’ll do some Charlie Byrd.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

A promotional group photograph showing three members of the Hawaiian reggae-rock band Pepper posing enthusiastically outdoors under a bright blue sky. On the left, vocalist and bassist Bret Bollinger wears dark sunglasses, a black baseball cap, and a short-sleeved button-down shirt patterned with skulls and flowers while making a triumphant fist. In the center, drummer Yesod Williams wears a yellow baseball cap, a long greying beard, and a matching patterned short-sleeved shirt with his arms raised. On the right, guitarist and vocalist Kaleo Wassman wears sunglasses, a black cap, and an unbuttoned matching floral skull shirt exposing his torso and abdominal tattoo while raising his hands with a wide open-mouthed expression.

Music

‘On High’ music festival, which is kind of like a halfway to Reggae Rise Up concert, comes to St. Pete on Friday

Pepper headlines at Jannus Live.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

A high-angle outdoor group portrait by Zuri Moult showing four members of Fesssi K. standing together on an outdoor basketball court. Arranged from left to right, Vonne Parks stands on the far left wearing a dark corduroy cap embroidered with "Ocean Beauty" and a light blue striped button-down shirt; Micah Jno Baptise stands in the back left wearing a black t-shirt printed with "her new knife"; Noel Colon stands in the back right wearing glasses, a black baseball cap, and a white graphic t-shirt while resting his hand on a metallic pole; and Zoe Robinson stands in the center foreground wearing a light grey sweater vest adorned with patches and layered gold necklaces, featuring short blonde styled hair.

Music

Fesssi K. releases one of the Tampa Bay area’s best rock LPs of 2026 this weekend

Blame Jeff Buckley.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026