Music Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Kanye West speaking next to Jim Brown during a meeting with Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office.

Music

The guy who says he’s no longer a Nazi is performing in Tampa

Fans interested in this sort of stuff may be able to score free tickets if they sign up for his mailing list.

by Colin Wolf May 23, 2026May 26, 2026

Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West and a guy who identified as a Nazi until a few months ago, announced a new show coming to Raymond James Stadium this summer. Not a lot of details were announced Friday evening, but according to the venue’s website the “Heil Hitler” rapper will perform June 26 […]

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

A vibrant, high-energy nightclub photograph of partygoers dancing at Dyke Night St. Pete on the patio of Crowbar. In the foreground on the left, an individual with short curly hair, wearing a light t-shirt, tan pants, a black choker, and a gold heart necklace, is smiling widely with one arm raised in the air. Next to them in the center, another individual with long brown hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, is dancing with both arms raised high above their head, holding a clear plastic cup in one hand and smiling with their eyes closed. The dark, lively venue is intensely illuminated by bright green light beams crossing the frame, along with horizontal orange light trails that capture the energetic movement of the dancers. Additional partygoers are visible dancing in the softly blurred background.

Music

Dyke Night St. Pete welcomes ‘Gays Raised In the South’ to June throwdown in Ybor City

The collective turns Crowbar into the Pussycat Lounge on June 4.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

A black-and-white live concert photograph of guitarist Sulynn Hago performing on stage at Crowbar in Ybor City. In the sharp foreground, Hago has shoulder-length hair and is wearing a dark, vertically striped button-down shirt. They are looking down with intense focus while playing a white Fender-style electric guitar with a dark pickguard. A microphone stand is positioned just in front of them. In the softly blurred background to the right, a second band member wearing a dark short-sleeve shirt is visible playing a light-colored electric guitar. A bright stage spotlight flares directly behind the microphone stand, cutting through the dark venue.

Music

Photos: Expat Tampa guitarist Sulynn Hago shows Tampa the ‘Doghouse’

Bad, Bad Things and Big Sad played support at Crowbar.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

A dynamic, wide-angle live concert photograph taken from the stage behind the band Rohna, looking out into a packed, enthusiastic audience at Crowbar. In the center foreground, a band member with long brown hair, wearing an open gray short-sleeve shirt over a white t-shirt, is playing a black electric guitar or bass. Behind them, another member wearing a green t-shirt has both arms raised high toward the crowd. To the far left, a drummer is partially visible playing a drum kit in front of a massive, brightly lit LED screen displaying a vibrant, colorful psychedelic pattern. In the bottom right foreground, a keyboard rests on a stand. The dense crowd is pressed against the stage, cheering, smiling, and raising their hands under dim overhead venue lighting.

Music

Photos: Everyone having the time of their lives when Rohna played its final ‘Indie Night’ at Crowbar

Now, the series will look for a new home as it seeks to re-create the vibe in the wake of the Ybor City venue’s imminent closure this summer.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

A live concert photograph of country music artist Willie Nelson performing outdoors. In the sharp foreground, Nelson is wearing a signature red bandana headband, a black t-shirt, and a colorful woven guitar strap. They have long gray hair and a white beard, and are looking warmly out toward the audience while playing a heavily worn, light-wood acoustic guitar. In the softly blurred background to the right, a second band member wearing glasses, a dark jacket, and a brown shirt is visible. The scene is set against a dark, out-of-focus background of trees.

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 15-21

Including Willie Nelson, Indie Night’s Crowbar finale, Have Gun Will Travel & more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Music

Before St. Pete show, The 502s’ Ed Isola details how Mumford & Sons changed his life

The band is on tour in support of its fourth studio album ‘Easy Street.’

by Josh Bradley May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

"A dynamic, high-energy live concert photograph of singer Carla Harvey from the band Lords of Acid performing on stage. Harvey is captured mid-scream with their mouth wide open and long, dark teal-tinted hair flying wildly around their face. They are wearing a shiny, black latex-style bodysuit. In the softly blurred background, another band member with short blonde hair is visible playing a keyboard and raising a black microphone stand high into the air. In the foreground, the raised arms of enthusiastic audience members reach toward the stage, with one hand prominently making a 'rock on' or 'horns' gesture. The dark venue is intensely illuminated by vibrant green stage lighting. To the right, a venue pillar heavily covered in band stickers is visible."

Music

Freaky, fun, EBM favorite Lords of Acid returns to Tampa on Sunday

Bring your own nipple tape and latex.

by Ray Roa May 15, 2026May 18, 2026

A wide-angle, fisheye-lens portrait photograph of DJs Blenda and Shafiq posing together in a dimly lit nightclub setting. On the left, Blenda is wearing a tiger-stripe patterned cap, a white t-shirt, and a gold chain, leaning with one arm resting on a stack of vinyl records next to a DJ turntable. They are holding up two fingers in a peace sign. On the right, Shafiq has a shaved head, a graying goatee, and is wearing a brightly patterned red, blue, and white dashiki-style shirt with their arms casually crossed. Blenda has their left arm wrapped around Shafiq's shoulder. Behind them is an exposed brick wall heavily covered in layered hip-hop concert flyers and red graffiti, illuminated by red LED string lights strung along the ceiling.

Music

DJs Blenda and Shafiq take Ybor City to ‘Church’ on Sunday

OGs of the scene return to Crowbar for one more session.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A brightly illuminated, aerial twilight photograph of the Hindu Temple of Florida in Tampa. The ornate temple features a massive, multi-tiered front tower, known as a gopuram, which is intricately detailed with traditional carvings. The building is lit with warm architectural lighting that makes it glow against the darkening landscape. A grand, wide staircase leads up to the main entrance. At the ground level, white paved walkways geometric patterns across a manicured green lawn. In the background, the horizon is ablaze with a vibrant orange and yellow sunset that fades into a dark blue evening sky.

Music

Tampa Hindu Temple hosts tabla and harmonium concerts this weekend

Vocal Mela: Festival of Indian Classical Singing also includes Brajeswar Mukherjee and Anirban Chakrabarty.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A brightly lit live concert photograph of the band Have Gun, Will Travel performing on a small stage at Shuffle in Tampa. In the center foreground, a band member wearing a yellow t-shirt, dark jeans, and a baseball cap is playing a white bass guitar. To the right, another member with shoulder-length hair, wearing a light blue short-sleeve shirt, is singing enthusiastically into a microphone and holding up a tambourine with one hand while standing behind a green keyboard. Two other band members playing instruments are visible in the background to the left. The stage features an exposed slatted wooden ceiling and a dark blue back wall, strongly illuminated by a bright blue stage light on the left. Several guitar effect pedals and cables are scattered on the floor in the foreground.

Music

Tampa’s Have Gun, Will Travel is angrier than ever on new EP

The Americana king leans into the rock ahead of its

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

A low-light, nighttime group photograph of the six members of the band Holy Dose standing together outdoors. The band is arranged in a casual, staggered line facing the camera against a very dark background illuminated only by softly blurred string lights overhead. The members are dressed in casual streetwear, with most wearing baseball caps and dark graphic t-shirts. In the center foreground, one member with a shaved head is wearing an open plaid flannel shirt layered over a light-colored t-shirt with a globe graphic and the text 'THE WORLD IS YOURS'. The overall lighting is dim and heavily shadowed, creating a raw and gritty atmosphere.

Music

Tampa rock band Holy Dose will play haunting EP in full on Friday

‘Sharp Decline’ is a gut punch for anyone totally defeated by where late stage capitalism has left Americans.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

Music

A beat concert and ‘Street Fighter VI’ tournament happens in Ybor City this Friday

Ft. Myers’ Hell’z Own, André DeSaint, and Kalib play sets.

by Ray Roa May 14, 2026May 14, 2026