Live In Pictures: First Timers Fest 2022 at The Amersham Arms, London

If we were to pick a single event that sums up everything that Joyzine strives to stand for, it would be First Timers Fest. Independent and inclusive, the South London based festival begins with a series of workshops to provide new musicians with the opportunity to learn the basics of playing an instrument, songwriting and stagecraft, along with speed bandmating events to help them get together with other first timers, with the whole shebang rounded off with a full-day festival at New Cross venue The Amersham Arms.

This year’s fest included debut performances from 14 new bands, all formed through the First Timers process. Perhaps some of them will join the likes of First Timers alumni Big Joanie, Charmpit, Bitch Hunt and Breakup Haircut in becoming established favourites within these pages, but that’s really besides the point – that all of these new musicians had the opportunity to learn from established bands (many of whom went through the First Timers process themselves) and to perform in front of an audience is enough in itself.

Poppy Allen and Keith CY Leung were amongst the photographers and videographers at the event and they share some of their shots from First Timers Fest 2022 ahead of the release of a mini-documentary about this year’s festival.