ROA

ROA plays The Eastern on Thursday, December 10, bringing his blend of Latin trap and R&B to Atlanta. He's a Puerto Rican artist, and that Latin trap side of things is where the heavier beats and the street-level energy live, while the R&B pulls in the smoother, more melodic lines. When they sit together, you get a sound that can shift from a club track to something a bit more laid back without much friction in between.

If you're not already familiar with him, that's the best way to think about it: Latin trap for the drive and R&B for the wind-down, both in the same set. It's a combination that works well live, because it gives the night room to move—you'll get the harder-hitting moments and the slower ones, rather than one mood held for the whole show. Coming from Puerto Rico, he's bringing that specific Caribbean influence to the stage, so the rhythms carry a distinct regional weight.

The Eastern is located at 800 Old Flat Shoals Road in the Reynoldstown neighborhood, part of the Dairies complex. It's a purpose-built venue, meaning it was designed from the ground up to host shows, so the sightlines and sound are built in rather than adapted. If you're coming from across town, it's a good spot to keep in mind—Reynoldstown is an easy enough area to get to, and the venue is right in the middle of the Dairies, which has a few other things going on around it if you want to make a night of it.

The show starts at 8 PM on Thursday, December 10, at The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA.