The Big Thing celebrates diversity

Atlanta musician Jay Douglas wants to do his part in dismantling the homogeneity of lineups by creating his own event.

POP TONES: Robert Gregg McCurry (from left) and Caleb Jackson Dills are Superbody.
Photo credit: Christopher Artell

espite championing inclusion and acceptance, DIY spaces often have to actively work to ensure shows represent the demographics of the community. Atlanta musician Jay Douglas wants to do his part in dismantling the homogeneity of lineups by creating his own event, The Big Thing. “It’s important to showcase different, diverse musical acts because it feels so wrong to do shows where people of the same genre are recycling the same show over and over with a different lineup,” Douglas says.

Boasting 22 bands and a slew of local artists, The Big Thing brings together an array of sounds from the Southeast. Chattanooga-based experimental pop duo Superbody, known for its fuzzy electronic textures and warped vocals, headlines the event. Lo-fi rap duo Coco & Clair Clair’s powerfully absurdist lyricism, the shivering ambiance of Dendera Bloodbath, Fuiste’s intricate rock structures, and Kudzu Kids’ daydreaming guitar pop join them to round out the lineup. “For awhile I took in different submissions from people who were interested in playing and tried my best to pick out of that bunch. I got over 60 submissions and they were all really good,” Douglas says.

The Big Thing’s focus on variety and inclusivity follows a similar template shared by other local DIY festivals such as Peace Fest, JORTSFEST, and Irrelevant Music Festival. Douglas and others are using the power of multi-band lineups to break down musical barriers, creating a fresh chapter of Atlanta music defined by cohesion and an exchange of contrasting sounds. “There’s so much talent here that doesn’t get tapped into,” Douglas says. “I know some people aren’t deliberately trying to exclude certain groups of people but it happens regardless and that’s not ok.”

The Big Thing takes over Rowdy Dowdy at Fort Pryor on Sat., July 30. $5. 3:30 p.m. 730 Pryor St. S.W. 3:30 p.m.