After weeks of planning and preparation, a few logistical nightmares, and a champion round of packing Tetris; my son, my girlfriend and I embarked on a journey with high hopes for a fun-filled weekend.
We arrived late — a big mistake. Setting up camp in the dark with a hungry, tired child is ill-advised, but once it's done, it all becomes part of the rich experience. Manifest welcomed us with open arms, and from the first smile, we knew we were home.
First port of call: feed our faces. A short stroll inside the beautifully designed bamboo entrance, and nestled among the colourfully illuminated trees, we found the food market. This space, with its beautiful works, enticing aromas and colourful people conjured the feeling that we had stepped into a magical fantasy land.
Image © Emelia EbejerWith a spinning silver phoenix rising from the ashes, the geometric ‘Roundhouse’ dome pumping sweaty, opening-night beats, and a cosy, little teepee with a glowing fire-pit; the whole scene was comfortably surreal. A plethora of choices from bacon to brownies and tofu to toasties had the three of us running in different directions, but we all converged with growling bellies in front of Ya Man. We ate this Yemen-style food every day of the festival. It ticked all the boxes: it was delicious, it help sustain energy throughout the day and the service was exceptional.
Image © Emelia EbejerAs the festival unfolded over the weekend we soon realised we were in a one-stop shop for fun, frivolity and free expression. The magnetic Flamewater Circus stall provided by the dynamic duo Adam and Bella kept us entertained all weekend. Their open toy box filled with all things juggling, twirling and swirling and the countless hours of tutelage was a wonderful gift that nurtured the inner child and expanded the adult mind.
Image © Emelia EbejerBusts Trizz and his crew’s amazing Stick Stack was a centerpiece and meeting place for all ages. The architecturally designed bamboo, climbable fun-frame with its colourful fuel levels of rope webbing was a huge source of connection and relaxation. My son and girlfriend came out of the face-painting tent as walking artworks; we learnt the basics of slack lining; fossicked for quartz crystals in the dry creek bed; and purchased the best handmade puppets we've ever seen. Thanks to Darci and Alicia from D'Yoga and HappyFit, the daily, early-morning stretch left me primed and relaxed and ready to cut a rug.
Musically the Praxis crew delivered an abundant, 'round the clock array of talent, both local and across the globe. Dead Pixel summoned my girlfriend to the dancefloor. Their groove was phat, playful and energetic. There was no stopping her as she ‘shook it like a Polaroid picture’. Dancefloor designer and dust-rising-stomp creator Tom Cosm teased us with his cheeky pauses, chest-drilling bass and eight-bit inspired highs.
I really enjoyed Desmond Cheese, while Daily Meds were phenomenal. But the standout experience for me was undoubtedly Hugo & Treats. This conscious and amazing pair tuned me to a frequency that resonated deep, and at times left me breathless, teary, hopeful and connected.
Cordless mic and Go Pro in hand, Hugo immersed himself among the highly-pumped crowd, bouncing his thoughtful and inspiring freestyle into every heart and mind. Backed by some phat Treats beats he took us into the single cell of a tree, into the heart of man kind and created a cuddle-puddle that was devoid of separation that will last with me forever.
Image © Emelia EbejerSometimes you've got to lose yourself to find yourself and Manifest definitely helped me shake the shackles of the everyday existence. We left with an overwhelming sense of joy, love and happiness. We experienced inner growth, positive change and found freedom. Come prepared to give and receive, share the love in your heart and the festival will provide.
Lukey and Jenzies
Festival-goers hit sunny Manifest Festival for three days at Goomburra Valley’s Gordon Country from Friday 29th September. The varied musical tastes of promoters Praxis Australia shone through clearly with a line-up that was diverse enough to deliver something for everyone and kept dancefloors full across the entire weekend.
Image © Emelia EbejerThe festival kicked-off with a funky showcase of some of Brisbane’s finest live music outfits, with ska-gypsy inspired acts Die Rude and The Mouldy Lovers closing the Manifest Stage Friday night to a rapidly swelling crowd as the punters kept flowing in.
The all-too familiar twang of Brisbane’s reggae community kept the audience moving until the lights dimmed and the bass turned up on the Forest Stage with fresh Melbourne breaks act Meat Axe setting the bar for the rest of the festival with their glitchy blend of breaks and drum & bass.
The standard was continually pushed throughout the weekend as the Forest Stage played host to a mass of the country’s finest drum & bass producers, ranging from local acts, including Brisbane’s Operon and Duos, to national heavyweights like Melbourne’s Safire, testifying to Australia’s rapidly-solidifying place in the global drum & bass market.
Image © Emelia EbejerThe Manifest festival tagline of ‘Leave Your World Behind’ certainly seemed apt, lush Gordon Country was transformed into a surreal assault on the senses with an array of lights, colours, webs, sparkling images and bamboo pyramids, capped off to the delight of many with a stunning 14-metre graffiti artwork bordering the Manifest Stage. Many acts were supported with visual projections, roaming performers, or live fire shows.
The festival closed late Sunday night with a larger-than-life delivery of cutting edge, glitch hop from seasoned Hungarian producer AMB that had audiences loath to leave.
Eleanor Rigden
