Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival turns 21 in 2010, and it’s inviting some very special friends to the party. The Bluesfest will be welcoming punters to its new permanent home of the Tyagarah Tea Tree farm – just 10 minutes north of Byron Bay – for five days of music and camping.

Heading the bill is none other than Crowded House, who’ll be adding a few songs from their forthcoming album to the hit-loaded setlist. Already stirring excitement in the FasterLouder forums is the promise of New York gypsy punks Gogol Bordello, who’ll be in the fine company of Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Lyle Lovett and many more. Past experience tells us this list of names is just the beginning, too.

Bluesfest takes place over Easter from Thursday April 1 through to Monday April 5, 2010. The first line-up looks like this.

Crowded House
Buddy Guy
Roger Hodgson From Supertramp
The Gipsy Kings
Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club
Jeff Beck
Lyle Lovett
Rockwiz
Jimmy Barnes plays the Rhythm and the Blues
Jessica Mauboy
The Swell Season
Newton Faulkner
Dr John and the Lower 911
Bela Fleck’s African Project, featuring Oumou Sangare and band
Blue King Brown
Al Di Leola World Sinfonia
Gogol Bordello
Fat Freddy’s Drop
Joe Bonamassa
Peter Green and Friends
The Flatlanders
Avett Brothers
Justin Townes Earle
Renee Geyer
Colin Hay Band
Old Crow Medicine Show
Lil Band O’Gold
Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express
Robert Gordon & The Gang They Couldn’t Hang featuring Chris Spedding (Roxy Music), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), and Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats).