'It makes me feel young again' New festival brings life back to old Canberra Times site

For three years, the former print press and offices of The Canberra Times in Fyshwick have sat silent.

But on Saturday afternoon, the sound coming from the site could be heard streets away.

This time it wasn't the printing press preparing the Sunday edition, or harried journalists frantically making one more call, but electronic music, appropriately of the era when staff still occupied the Fyshwick site.

It was the first iteration of the Times Music Festival, run by local promoters Decibel Creative with Alto Scaffolding, the new owners of half the property.

Across two stages set up in the carpark of the site, by early afternoon already hundreds of ravers were nodding along to the likes of Australian DJs KLP and Minx.

Liide Rhys of Kingston and Caitlin Bailey from Farrer said it was great to see festivals returning to Canberra and were out in support.

Eila Korpinen-Butchers of Holder and Hannah Lemon of Richardson at The Times Music Festival. Picture by Elesa Kurtz

"Here to support local music by local promoters at an iconic venue," Ms Rhys said.

Ms Bailey said she was "just happy to be here" after Spilt Milk cancelled its 2024 iteration and other festivals around Australia shut down, including the iconic Splendour in the Grass.

Others were drawn to the unique location. Festival organiser Ben Amando said the event could return next year, but also left the door open to finding a new home, with the former Canberra Times offices to be demolished at some point in the future.

Sheridan Kerr of Narrabunda said the location was "awesome" and a unique part of Canberra's industrial landscape.

"It's raw," Ms Kerr said.

Leanne Dunshea of Monash with Rachel Martin of Sydney

Liide Rhys of Kingston with Caitlin Bailey of Farrer.

Dancers enjoyed some 2000s electro nostalgia.

Sheridan Kerr and Xavier Polla of Narrabunda

Ash Frino of Broulee

The festival set up two stages in the Carpark of the old Canberra Times building.

While many festivals are a rite of passage for younger audiences, The Times deliberately targeted an older demographic, bringing Sneaky Sound System, the Potbelleez and Bag Raiders back to the main stage, in a throwback to when these outfits had nightclubs and dance floors thumping in the 2000s.

This was lapped up by those who made it on Saturday, with the nostalgia vibes felt by Leanne Dunshea of Monash and Rachel Martin who made the trip down from Sydney.

"This is stuff from my 20s, it makes me feel young again," Ms Dunshea said.