The Ritz Ybor Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A promotional band portrait showing The band Nekrogoblikon. Captured in a centered medium group shot against a vibrant green mist background, six band members line up horizontally facing forward. In the center, John Goblikon stands in full green goblin mask and costume with long clawed hands extended directly toward the camera, flanked by band members wearing black shirts, jackets, and baseball caps illuminated by dramatic green stage lighting.

Music

Nekrogoblikon’s 20th anniversary tour comes to Tampa, just in time for Halloween

The kobold-channeling viral sensation is three years removed from a big lineup change.

by Ray Roa October 21, 2026October 23, 2026

The kitschy metal band Nekrogoblikon comes to Tampa on a 20th anniversary tour on Oct. 24, 2026.

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

A concert photograph showing Elizabeth Stokes of the New Zealand indie rock band The Beths performing live on stage at Crowbar in Ybor City, Florida, on June 21, 2023. Positioned center-right in a medium three-quarter shot, Stokes sings into a stand-mounted microphone while playing a dark electric guitar with a white pickguard. She wears a bright pink short-sleeved collared shirt, dark denim shorts, and has dark shoulder-length hair with bangs. The stage is bathed in deep red performance lighting, with red curtains, stage lights, a drum kit, and a Pabst Blue Ribbon banner visible in the background.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best new concerts include fall show from Kiwi rock favorite The Beths

Paul Oakenfold, Spafford, and Nervosa are headed to the Bay area, too.

by Ray Roa August 10, 2026August 10, 2026

A shot of the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny pointing to the sky surrounded by dancers in a packed stadium.

Music

A Bad Bunny party comes to The Ritz in Ybor City this weekend

Seguimos aquí

by Selene San Felice June 30, 2026June 30, 2026

A dynamic, close-up shot of William Beckett, lead singer of The Academy Is..., performing live on stage. He is captured in a moment of high energy, leaning into a microphone held in his right hand while flashing a peace sign with his left. He has mid-length, wavy brown hair falling over his face and is wearing a dark button-down shirt featuring a bold, pink floral pattern. The lighting is warm and golden, highlighting a tattoo on his left wrist and a delicate silver necklace. The background features the blurred architectural details of a concert venue ceiling and stage lights.

Music

Photos: The Academy Is brings stacked, mid-aughts emo gig to Ybor City

Hard hearts were crashing in a crowded room.

by Caitlin Carter and Josh Bradley April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Music

Photos: Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights, more tear up The Ritz Ybor

by Josh Bradley December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

A musician with a short beard and headphones is performing at a music festival or concert. DJ equipment (Pioneer CDJs) is visible on the tables behind them, and warning signs reading "MANDATORY FUN ZONE" are visible on the speaker and surrounding area.

Music

Rusko, early exporter of UK dubstep, returns to Tampa on Friday

Subdocta opens at The Ritz Ybor.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Close-up portrait of musician Cassadee Pope with wavy, vibrant orange-pink hair, wearing dark lipstick and a black leather jacket against a solid pink background; Photo Credit: Austin McMaines.

Music

Cassadee Pope does pop-punk again, and plays Tampa ahead of Warped Tour

She was last at The Ritz as a CMA darling.

by Ray Roa November 6, 2025November 6, 2025

A high-resolution studio photo featuring five members of the theatrical heavy metal band GWAR in their grotesque, heavily armored, and detailed alien costumes, posing aggressively against a sterile white background.

Music

Gwar brings 40th anniversary tour to Ybor City next month

A 32-page comic book accompanies the band’s new album, because who doesn’t want to go all Coheed & Cambria on their fans?

by Josh Bradley October 29, 2025October 29, 2025

Full-length shot of singer-songwriter Cornelia Murr mid-stride, leaping across a field of tall, dry grass. She wears a pleated, salmon or peach-colored long-sleeve dress and dark boots, with a scarf-like headband. Her long blonde hair streams out behind her.

Music

Hypnotic-pop singer-songwriter Cornelia Murr brings new album to Ybor City next month

You got me.

by Josh Bradley October 16, 2025October 16, 2025

Buckethead stands against a dramatic, cloudy blue sky. He's wearing a white, expressionless mask and a KFC bucket on his head. He's holding a white electric guitar, and behind him is the blurred, metallic structure of a roller coaster.

Music

Masked guitar whiz Buckethead plays Ybor City next week

He’ll probably do some Ozzy tributes.

by Josh Bradley September 2, 2025September 5, 2025

Music

Spike and the Gimme Gimmes bring Fat Mike-less punk covers to Tampa this weekend

Spike Slawson leads the band as he always has.

by Ray Roa August 14, 2025August 26, 2025

Music

Fall show from Freddie Gibbs among best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay

Brandy & Monica, Joe Bonamassa and more are on the way, too.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley August 11, 2025September 1, 2025

Electronic musician Marc Rebillet wearing round sunglasses and a gold chain, looking into the camera with an energetic, open-mouthed shout against a blue background.

Music

Fall concert from livetronic loop freak Marc Rebillet among best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay

Tanks and the Bangas are also headed to town along with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Twenty One Pilots and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley July 1, 2025February 19, 2026

Music

Not so little anymore, Lil Poppa returns for Tampa concert this weekend

The Jacksonville rapper has a new album coming this year.

by Ray Roa June 12, 2025July 18, 2025

Music

The XXL ‘Shrek Rave’ comes to Tampa on Saturday

We know ogres are like onions, it’s hot as hell outside, so please, for the love of Pete, wear deodorant.

by Josh Bradley May 27, 2025July 13, 2025

Music

The Wonder Years brings string ensemble, and Kevin Devine, to Tampa this weekend

The emo hero is touring behind new acoustic rerecordings.

by Josh Bradley May 22, 2025June 4, 2025

Music

TikTok-famous UK rock band Bôa plays Tampa on Thursday

This is a band with plenty of energy already bottled up, having just ended a lengthy hiatus.

by Matthew Moyer April 30, 2025July 23, 2025

Music

Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand will make Tampa debut this fall

Take me out.

by Josh Bradley April 25, 2025July 8, 2025

Music

Metal-rocker Poppy screams into Ybor City this weekend

Headbangers, head to The Ritz.

by Selene San Felice April 9, 2025May 31, 2025