We’re big fans of First Timers here at Get In Her Ears, so we’re thrilled to share details of their upcoming workshops for 2024’s edition of the DIY festival! They have also opened up their applications for their Festival, which will be taking place later this year. Further information and links to tickets and application forms 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 from low income backgrounds, or 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, Whitelands, Bitch Hunt and Charmpit!
First Timers Workshops 2024
Below is a list of the workshops that First Timers are running over the next few months. They will all take place at the Cavendish Arms in Stockwell, South London.
Grab your workshop tickets here!
Tickets are £5, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Please email dsflfirsttimers@gmail.com if you can’t afford a ticket.
Drums Workshop: Sat 17th Feb, 1pm with Phoebe (ME REX, cheerbleederz)
Vocals Workshop: Sat 17th Feb, 3pm with MIRI
Guitar Workshop: Sat 2nd March, 1pm with Joni Samuels (Fräulein)
Keyboard Workshop: Sat 2nd March, 3pm with Natasha (Screaming Toenail)
Bass Workshop: Sat 23rd March, 1pm with Ripley (Breakup Haircut)
Speed Bandmating: Sat 23rd March, 3pm
Choir Workshop: 13th April, 1pm
How To Sign Up For First Timer’s Fest 2024
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 Sunday 5th May at The Victoria, Dalston in East London. 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.
Applications to play this year’s festival are now live!
Sign Up Here!
IMPORTANT: To play in the festival, 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)
Follow First Timers Fest on Twitter (X), Facebook and Instagram
Artwork: @saint.ass
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