For those who grow up in Canberra, there is often a sense of rejection of one’s own place and culture - with cities like Sydney and Melbourne, neighbouring the nation’s capital territory - many creatives leave Canberra in hopes of connecting with a more inclusive and broader arts community. But DIGI Culture & Music Festival (hereafter, DIGI) is proving that Canberra is more than the assumptions made about it. More than a bureaucratic, transient, stopover on the way to something bigger; Canberra’s arts culture is built in direct response to the city’s perceived monotony. DIGI embodies this.
In its fourth iteration, DIGI was a strong interplay of music, projected visuals, suspended art installations and live fire performances - a testament to what Canberra is capable of offering. What struck the most about DIGI this year was the sound system—an absolutely stellar setup that transformed the festival into something immersive, tangible.
The foundation of it all? A world-class Funktion-One sound system.
For the uninitiated, Funktion-One isn’t just about loudness—it’s precision, depth, clarity. It’s the reason why when bass vibrates through your body, it feels intentional, not overblown. It’s why every hi-hat, every synth, every vocal hits exactly as it should. Melbourne-based Purple Audio delivered the kind of setup that elevated the festival beyond just a collection of acts—but turned it into an immersive, sonic experience.
DIGI absolutely took over Thoroughbred Park—a horse racing track—an irony that feels almost too perfect. A space built for rigid tradition and control, momentarily redefined as a place for collective movement and uninhibited sound. Small squares of translucent plastic littering the floor, cleaned up in a number of hours.
Three stages, each with their own energy:
Warehouse—dark, industrial, a place where the bass presses into your chest
Open-Air—a playground for the euphoric, an invitation to dance with the sky overhead.
Traxxside—an almost hidden stage, a secret for those who wandered in unknowingly.
OAL's Day @ DIGI
From the minute Crybaby took the stage in the afternoon, feet were kicking on the dancefloor. The Naarm-based DJ/Producer had the crowd in a groove before most had even found their friends.
Then came Club Angel, delivering the kind of electric atmosphere that tethers you to the dancefloor, genuinely elevating.
By the time Funk Assault took over, the crowd was locked in. This set played with choppy wave-like synths, swung and syncopated percussion —a masterclass in controlled chaos.
And then, of course, Southstar. The German producer, dominating the global dance scene, closed the night with a set that felt inevitable.
While it boasts internationally renowned acts, DIGI also holds space for local artists and emerging talent. The DIGI DJ Competition is testament to that- offering one last lineup slot to OSC b2b BUTLA to make their mark.
But even without the stacked lineup, DIGI would have been worth it. With a bill this tight though, it was something else entirely. The thing is: these names aren’t rare bookings for Canberra. Decibel Creative, the force behind DIGI, knows how to tap into the right talent and build a lineup that makes sense for both the city and the scene.
In a city often stereotyped as soulless, DIGI isn’t just proving that Canberra has a music culture. It’s proving that it’s been here all along. So the next time someone asks, why is DIGI held in Canberra?—the answer is simple. Where else would it be?
