First Timers

We celebrate demystification. A gig where every band plays their first set! FT#1 - Nov 2013. FT#2 - April 2016 FT#3 - 6th and 7th May 2017.

[firsttimersldn]

YES! First Timers 2017 is here! Poster by the amazing: Moule ( http://moule.bigcartel.com/ )

Join us over at the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/407077389663818/ Tickets are £6 per day (+ booking fee) and you can get them here: https://tickets.partyforthepeople.org/events/3061-first-timers-2017 PA and carers free / nobody turned away for lack of funds. Email us for cheap/free tickets: [email protected]

Any questions, email: [email protected]

[firsttimersldn]

First Timers Workshops are GO!

Email [email protected] for more information 

📷 http://www.moule.uk/

[firsttimersldn]

First Timers is a season of workshops followed by a weekend of gigs where every band plays its first show. We want to provide a supportive context for people new to playing music before, during and after First Timers season!

It’s back for a third time, and will be taking place on May 6th & 7th 2017, this time round as as an in-house project of DIY Space for London.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Applications are open NOW

The Rules!

First Timers, now in its third year, is about getting new faces and voices in bands, and doing something about the lack of diversity in the make-up of the DIY music community. The criteria below aren't intended to exclude anyone, but are a direct way of addressing this. As such, your band as a whole need to be able to say YES to at least TWO of these statements:

- One or more of us has never played in a band before.

- One or more of us identify as one (or more!) of the following: disabled (visible or non-visible), trans*, queer, non binary, LGBTQIA+, a person of colour, a woman.

- One or more of us is playing or doing something in this band that they have never played or done before.

If you want any support, are looking for band members or have any queries at all please post in here or drop us an email at [email protected] and we'll do our best to help!

DIY Space for London is an accessible venue. It is on a single floor level, with access ramps, widened doors, an accessible toilet and plenty of space for maneuvering and getting away from crowds. There is plenty of seating available and the toilets are gender neutral and accessible. If you are forming a band or coming as an audience member and would like to discuss access, please get in touch: [email protected] or visit our website: https://diyspaceforlondon.org/access

[firsttimersldn]

A selection of some of the First Timers 2016 bands that have gone on to greatness and played more gigs, videos and released demos and even gone on tour!

Slags - LISTEN: https://soundcloud.com/slags-379261536 Charmpit - LISTEN: https://charmpit.bandcamp.com/  Scrap Brain - LISTEN: scrapbrainhc.bandcamp.com Threat Level Midnight - http://www.facebook.com/bandTLM/ Slab City - https://www.facebook.com/slabcitypunx/

FIRST TIMERS 2017 registration and info on how to start your own local First Timers coming very soon!

[firsttimersldn]

ITS HAPPENING // WEEKEND TICKETS HERE

[firsttimersldn]

They are here! Whether or not you’re signed up to play at the FT gigs, these workshops are open and available to all, with awesome facilitators and friendly vibes.

Sat 12th March - 2-4pm Beginners Guitar Workshop - Reserve a spot so we can get an idea of numbers here.

Sat 16th April  - 1-3pm Beginners Drum Workshop - SOLD OUT

After this (Sat 16t April - 4pm)  there will be a talk/presentation from Katie Gatt (Personal Best) covering a whole range of demystifying music tech, including how to set up a guitar, the basics of a PA system, effects pedals and things to consider when playing live! This one’s free/donations.

[firsttimersldn]

YOU CAN'T BE WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE is an evening of short talks on the theme of identity, gender, music and performance. A diverse range of DIY musicians will speak/ perform/ respond in some way, for no longer than five minutes each re: how their identity, or how their identity is read, intersects w their experiences of playing music. Where are the points of tension, clarity, frustration, joy, alienation? Expect everything and anything, from rageblurbs to recitals, short lectures, manifestos to monologues, stories, experiences, thoughts and ideas.

[firsttimersldn]

First Timers 2016 is here

First Timers is back! Some FT bands have gone on to do amazing things - Primetime topped Best of lists in 2014 with their amazing single on La Vida Es Un Mus, and black feminist punk band Big Joanie have made a huge impact and started their own label, Sistah Punk. ‘Kin Shot have played lots of gigs, and other members of other groups have started other bands too. This time - it’s your time.

We fundraised for DIY Space for London during our first iteration, and are overjoyed to say that First Timers 2016, including all the workshops and socials, will happen at the space, which is a fully accessible social centre at 96-108 Ormside Street, SE15 6TN.  diyspaceforlondon.org

For now, have a read of the FAQ and if you’re ready, sign up here.

Attend on Facebook to keep updated about goings on.

[firsttimersldn]

First Timers 2013 lineup

Saturday 23rd Nov | 8pm - 11pm | £5 The Ya Ya Band ["post war shouty grunge"] Headline Jar ["ukelelelelele"] Yeast Extract {"this is your brain on drugs"]  Here for the After Party  ["acoustic rap punk"] Big Joanie  ["black feminist sistah punk"] Tilted Acres ["post punk three piece"] Sunday 24th Nov | 8pm - 11pm | £5 Kin Shot ["emo for the punks in the vein of Yaphet Kotto/Reds/Bread and Circuits. Twiddle free zone."] The YuckerFlats ["Songs about Junk Food, Annoying Selfies, Idiots and Bad Blind Dates"] Primetime ["chaotic neurotics"] Irn Bruise ["do it to it"] Pukeahontas ["the puke before the storm"] Queerocious ["An 8 piece explosion of queer ferocious noise, dating woes, egomania and STIs."]

[firsttimersldn]

Accessible venue, £3-5 donation to diyspaceforlondon.org No advance tickets so please arrive on time to support all the bands! First performance 8pm sharp. The venue address is 195 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3QE. Big old building on your left just after the junction to Well St! The closest station is Hackney Central, Cambridge Heath for overground or Bethnal Green for the underground.

[firsttimersldn]

Footage from the First Timers Drum Workshop

Feedback

"In a short space of time, the tutor explained the basics of playing the drums from how to set up the hi-hats to how to read notation for drums using really easy to understand terminology and examples. It was great to be with like-minded individuals in a supportive atmosphere and I learnt so much that I've started taking lessons with the tutor! It was great to be able to play along with a bassist and the atmosphere was really positive. It's really given me more confidence in playing the drums, and I've been practising the exercises from the handouts. Great experience!"

[firsttimersldn]

“The bass workshop was really really inspirational and useful for me and makes me want to get involved in the first timers project and the whole DIY and punk community more. I actually had no idea what to expect or that this kind if thing even existed in London. Walked in to the bass workshop with a slight fear that it would be full of dudes wanting to learn slap bass or something ridiculous like that, instead is was a really inspiring workshop led by the amazing Lianna, both for theory&technical basic bass skills and for giving energy and encouragement to play in bands and try new things out even if you’re pretty much a beginner and never played in bands before. “

“Going straight in and learning a scale, hand positions and then to go ahead and put them into practice was cool too, and there wasn’t any risk of people judging or getting left behind, which was good!”

“I’ve been vaguely wanting to play bass again for years now, and this is what really galvanized it for me, and made me want to play every day till my fingers drop off (but Lianna said not to do that, so I won’t). It was also super fun, really interesting, and way more informative than I could have hoped for only 2 hours!”