We’re big fans of First Timers here at Get In Her Ears, so we’re thrilled to share the details of their upcoming gigs and workshops for 2023’s edition of the DIY festival!
All information and links to tickets can be found below.
Background Info
First Timers Fest are a London-based DIY community of musicians and activists who believe that having access to creating & playing music should not be a privilege, it should be a joyful and social experience that empowers everyone.
They encourage people from all walks of life – particularly those who identify as non-binary, LGBTQ+, disabled or female – to attend their workshops and gigs in order to experience and create music in a non-judgemental, low pressure environment. They aim to build people’s confidence, as well as forming a community of like-minded individuals who feel empowered to tackle the lack of diversity in larger music industry spheres.
Some of the bands who formed at First Timers and went on to release records and perform bigger shows include Big Joanie, Breakup Haircut, Bitch Hunt and Charmpit!
How To Sign Up For First Timer’s Fest 2023
First Timers is a two day festival where every band on the bill plays its first ever show! This years festival will take place on 28th May at The Victoria in Dalston.
The deadline to sign up to play is Sunday the 1st of March 2023. Sign up as an individual if you don’t yet have a band, or even if you’re just interested! You’ll be contacted closer to the time for further details.
Click here to sign up to play the festival!
IMPORTANT: To play in the fest, you need to be able to say yes to BOTH of these two statements:
1. 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 (e.g if a drummer is having a go at vocals)
2. One or more band members belongs to one or more of these identity groups; a person of colour, a woman, LGBTQIA+, Jewish, people from Gypsy, traveller or Roma background, disabled- including non-visible, chronic health conditions and neurodiversity, working class, refugees and asylum seekers. (these identity groups aren’t exhaustive, let us know if we’ve missed any out)
Fundraiser Gig – 12th Feb, The Cavendish Arms
The team have organised a showcase featuring some of the bands that have formed at previous First Timers festivals and to raise some much needed funds!
The gig will take place on Sunday 12th February at The Cavendish Arms (SW8 2HJ). SKSIE, Melhole, Bulkwash and Gross Misconduct will all be performing. Tickets are £5.
Buy your ticket here!
First Timers Workshops – Feb-May 2023
If you’re keen to try out an instrument for the first time in a low pressure environment, then definitely consider attending one of the First Timers workshops listed on the poster below. We’ve attended them ourselves before, so we promise they’re fun and everyone is incredibly friendly!
This years workshops run from 19th Feb up until 7th May.
There are individual events on Facebook for each workshop that you can RSVP to by visiting the First Timers page here.
Individual workshops cost £5, however, the team don’t want anyone to feel excluded because of finances. Email dsflfirsttimers@gmail.com for information about concessions.
(FYI: the Stage Presence Wworkshop takes place on 16th April, not the 2nd!)
Follow First Timers Fest on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram to keep up to date!
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
Get In Her Ears 
Published by