| First Timers | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Punk rock, Indie rock |
| Locations |
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| Years active | 2013 - present |
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]
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]
Beynon also organised an iteration of the festival in Sydney, Australia on 14 July 2018. [10] [11]