Patti Smith, Dave Matthews Band and Crowded House Top Bluesfest's First 2020 Announcement

Bluesfest has lifted the lid on its first artist announcement for 2020 and heading the stampede are famed American singer Patti Smith, rockers Dave Matthews Band and the legendary Crowded House.

All three are repeat Bluesfest offenders, with Patti Smith and her band returning after a standout performance in 2017, the "magical and unmissable" Dave Matthews Band heading back for their third festival and Crowded House once again trekking up the coast — this time for an exclusive Australian performance. Expect to hear plenty of huge tunes from the likes of Smith's 'Because the Night' to Matthews' 'Crash Into Me' and the anthem that is 'Don't Dream It's Over'.

Other acts to hit the stage over the weekend include the multi Grammy Award-winning George Benson, American singer Brandi Carlile, Aussie favourites The Cat Empire, British trip-hop band Morcheeba and John Butler.

The festival will return to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm — just outside Byron Bay — for 2020 despite Festival Director Peter Noble threatening to leave NSW earlier this year because of the State Government's strict new music festival licensing regime. An inquiry into the licence is currently underway.

Better start making Easter plans because tickets are already on sale. Anyway, here's the full lineup (so far).

Dave Matthews Band

BLUESFEST 2020 LINEUP