Ben Ahern - the Artist/ Creative Co-ordinator at Manifest - took time out from another busy weekend planning the festival to fill us in on the 2011 event.

Talk us through the line-up you’ve assembled; it’s a diverse collection of artists - some well known, others not; what hidden treats await punters?
The headliners for this year are again of high quality. Solar Fields from Sweden will be closing the festival with his amazing ambient soundscapes; SPL and Noah D will bring the American west coast dubstep sounds; drum & bass producer Culture Shock is signed to RAM records, and bringing Hermitude back up again after last year’s performance was a must! Also Dialectrix from Obese Records and his DJ 2Buck will be there.

How important was it to get a spread of musical acts across a wide spectrum of genres?
Our production crew, Praxis, formed a few years ago with each member coming from different backgrounds, but all with an appreciation of good music. Manifest is our vision of exposing a variety of underground music. Our ultimate aim is to provide each Manifest attendee with the sounds they know and like as well as some which they may not have had exposure to, and as a result broaden their musical appreciation.

In a cluttered festival circuit, what makes Manifest a viable option for the regular festival-goer as well as the once-a-year traveller?
Manifest provides an alternative from the established mainstream festivals in that you can come and really have a full experience over the weekend. The three days gives you time to unpack, relax and enjoy yourself in your own time.

The location for the festival is stunning; surely this is one of the prime attractors for the event?
Sure is, the property is the perfect venue to escape the 'real world'. There are lush creeks to camp by, trails to walk, horses to ride, and even whips to crack!

Manifest takes place at Bestbrook Mountain Resort September 23-25. manifestqld.com