First Timers (festival)

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".

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.
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. This includes being disabled, transgender, queer, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, a person of colour, or a woman.
Bands that emerged from the festival include Big Joanie, Whitelands, Charmpit, Breakup Haircut, Primetime, Scrap Brain, Slags and Panic Pocket.
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.
Beynon also organised an iteration of the festival in Sydney, Australia on 14 July 2018.