First Timers (festival)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
First Timers is a yearly series of workshops in London, England, culminating in a two-day festival that encourages "new faces and voices in bands", in order to "do something about the lack of diversity in the music community".[1]
- At 195 Mare Street (then squatted) and Power Lunches
(2013) - DIY Space for London
(2016 to 2019) - Amersham Arms
(2022) - The Victoria, Dalston
(2023 to 2024) - Oslo, Hackney
(2025)
| First Timers | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Punk rock, Indie rock |
| Locations |
|
| Years active | 2013 - present |
Background
The festival was founded by Bryony Beynon of Good Throb, inspired by similar events in North America, with the first events happening in 2013.[2]
To take part, one or more band members have never been in a band before or one or more members has never performed that role in a band before, and one or more band members has to belong to a group marginalised in society.[3] This includes being disabled, transgender, queer, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, a person of colour, or a woman.[4][5]
Bands that emerged from the festival include Big Joanie,[6] Whitelands,[3] Charmpit, Breakup Haircut,[2] Primetime,[2] Scrap Brain,[7] Slags and Panic Pocket.[8] Speaking with The Guardian in 2019, an organiser with the festival reported that nearly 90 bands had formed to play the festival up to that point.[9]
The 2018 edition of the festival was held at DIY Space for London on 5 and 6 May.[10] Beynon also organised an iteration of the festival in Sydney, Australia on 14 July 2018.[11][12] The 2022 edition was held on 8 May at the Amersham Arms in New Cross.[13] The 2023 edition was held on 28 May at The Victoria in Dalston.[14] The 2024 edition was held at the same venue on 5 May.[3]