British rockers Blur are returning to perform in Australia for the first time since their Britpop heyday.

The Parklife hitmakers have been announced among the headliners for the Big Day Out touring festival along with Pearl Jam and Arcade Fire, and the gigs will mark Blur's first big shows Down Under since their last visit in 1997.

Blur bassist Alex James says, "It's hugely exciting... We had a great time in Australia last time (in 1997), so I think it's going to be crazy. I'm having my mind blown by travelling all over the world again with the band, it's fantastic, and we're playing better than we ever have before."

The bill also includes rapper Snoop Dogg, who made headlines Down Under in 2007 when he was forced to put his Aussie tour on hold due to visa issues stemming from his criminal record.

The hip-hop star, who is expected to debut his new reggae persona Snoop Lion at the festival, endured months of legal wrangling to convince officials to let him into the country and he was eventually granted access a year later (08) after actor Russell Crowe wrote a character reference for him.

Other acts set to play at the multi-stop festival include The Lumineers, Mudhoney and Tame Impala.

The touring festival kicks off on the Gold Coast on 19 January (14) and concludes in Perth on 2 February (14).