Mar 12, 2026 - News

Columbus band Big Fat Head has a big, fat opportunity

Andrew King

Black-and-white photo of five people posing in a basement with exposed pipes. Left to right: man with sunglasses and long hair; others wearing glasses; a woman in a graphic tee; a rightmost person in striped pants. — Columbus band Big Fat Head is headed to South By Southwest. Photo: Courtesy of Big Fat Head

Local rock band Big Fat Head is trading Columbus dive bars for the Austin spotlight this week as members head to Texas for a South By Southwest (SXSW) adventure.

Why it matters: From music and comedy to film and tech, SXSW is one of the country's biggest festivals, and appearances can help boost careers.

As singer and guitar player Nate Wilder puts it: "Ohio doesn't have anything comparable to this."

Zoom in: Big Fat Head plays an official SXSW Showcase show at Austin's Low Down Lounge Friday, with four shows around town in the days before and after.

What they're saying: It's a huge networking and audience-building opportunity for a very DIY band.

"To have the opportunity to play at an event coveted for connecting independent artists to the machine that is the music industry is a place I was never confident we'd ever arrive at, or even existed anymore," Wilder tells Axios.

🎫 Stop by: When the band is back in town, catch Big Fat Head open for Twen Wednesday at Rumba Cafe.

Worthy of your time: Learn more about the band in an excellent profile from Matter News.

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Columbus band Big Fat Head has a big, fat opportunity

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