For fans of Sydney’s favourite boutique festival the Playground Weekender Festival, which takes place over several days at Wisemans Ferry in February, the wait for a lineup announcement has been excruciatingly long. We’ve had several names confirmed over the past month, including James Lavelle, LTJ Bukem, Jamie Lidell and Prins Thomas, as well controversy whipped up over an unconfirmed lineup that’s been doing the rounds on the web the past few weeks. However, ITM can finally confirm the 1st-round official lineup announcement, with the good folks over at Playground claiming there’ll be many more massive names on the way.

For fans of underground club music, there’s little doubt that this is the finest Playground Weekender lineup we’ve seen yet. With progressive don Steve Lawler heading up the DJ names on the bill, he’ll be joined by the likes of Gui Boratto, Mark Farina and Ewan Pearson, making for a stunning array of electronic talent, and probably the best assortment of underground DJ names we’ve seen on a lineup all summer.

They’re joined by an equally impressive collection of rock, indie and hip hop names to give the lineup a well-rounded feel, with Lupe Fiasco, Polyphonic Spree, The Cribs and Brian Jonestown Massacre being some of the choice examples.

Set in the luxurious surrounds of Del Rio Riverside Resort on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, the newly expanded four-day fiesta will be make triumphant return after 2009’s excellent affair, which was hailed as one of the best events of the season. The music is only the beginning: there’s fancy dressups on Saturday night, punters camp out over the weekend and it’s all about getting away from the city and soaking in the vibe.

Playground Weekender takes over Del Rio Resort at Wisemans Ferry, NSW, from 18 to 21 February 2010. Tickets on sale now, check out the first-round lineup below:

Lupe Fiasco
Polyphonic Spree
The Cribs
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Jamie Lidell
Steve Lawler
Bjorn Again
Gui Boratto (live)
LTJ Bukem
British Sea Power
Norman Jay
Bertie Blackman
Mark Farina
James Lavelle
Prins Thomas
New Orleans Bingo! Show
Ewan Pearson
Luna City Express
Gaslamp Killer
16 Bit (Southside Dubstars)
Vincenzo
Charles Webster
Regular John
Goons Of Doom
The Jezabels
Black Ryder
PBR Street Gang (2020 Vision)
Kid Mac
Mr Doris
Snowdroppers
The Scare