John Mayer and Dave Matthews headlining Bluesfest 2014

BLUESFEST will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2014 and John Mayer and Dave Matthews will join the party. No word on the labrador, yet.

John Mayer unofficially confirmed his return last week as he released new record Paradise Valley.

CONTEMPORARY guitar guru John Mayer and American rockers Dave Matthews Band will headline the 25th anniversary celebrations of the annual Bluesfest next Easter.

Organiser Peter Noble revealed he had been trying to get both acts back to the revered festival for more than seven years.

Mayer unofficially confirmed his return last week as he released new record Paradise Valley.

Noble said fans from around the world would travel to Byron Bay to see the world's most famous jam band fronted by Dave Matthews.

"I have attempted to bring back Dave Matthews Band every year since they last played Bluesfest in 2005," Noble said.

"Finally, they are coming back to Bluesfest, for not one, but two full-length performances, and each night will be completely different as this super band never plays the same set twice."

Perennial Bluesfest favourites John Butler Trio and Michael Franti and Spearhead have also confirmed they are in for the very long weekend while eccentric queen of soul Erykah Badu will make her first trek to the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in April.

Other first-timers for the anniversary event include Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Gary Clark Jr, Iron and Wine, Devendra Banhart.

One act on the early announce who will have Bluesfest purists raising an eyebrow will be British electronica outfit Morcheeba.

The festival fantasists have been throwing out a big wishlist for the 2014 event, with online forums also adding Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, The Black Keys, Black Crowes, Steve Earle and Willie Nelson on to their wishlists.

Promoters have been trying to get Petty back for more than a decade with no luck.

For all ticket details, bluesfest.com.au

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