Guster will highlight the afternoon performances for Mayfest’s Dillo Day this year.

The announcement was made by Mayfest leaders at the Battle of the DJs, a competition where student contestants competed for a set on Dillo Day. Five DJs competed for 30 minutes each at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1741 Maple Ave., in Evanston on Friday evening.

Practical Tactical, consisting of McCormick senior Yann Manibog and McCormick junior Josh Lau, won the contest.

Guster joins Regina Spektor and Nelly in the 2010 Dillo Day lineup.

“We really try to appeal to a wide fan base,” said Mayfest co-Chair and Weinberg senior Katie Halpern. “Guster fills a void that we were missing (with Regina Spektor and Nelly). It really brings a big band vibe. It’s the perfect upbeat band to play in the middle of the day.”

Guster started at Tufts University in 1992 as Gus and became Guster in 1995, according to the band’s website. Self-described as “acoustic pop,” Guster is no stranger to Northwestern: They played at The Riviera on October 29, 2005.

Guster’s popular hit “Amsterdam” spent 15 weeks on Billboard’s charts in 2003, topping out at No. 20.

Guster is also scheduled to perform at FEST 2010 at DePaul University on May 28 as the middle act before Ludacris, the event’s headliner.

Michael Gebhardt, Mayfest co-chair, said Mayfest generally brings two headliners for Dillo Day but is fortunate to bring three this year.

Two more acts, one of which has already been leaked, will be announced, Gebhardt said. Speculation is largely based on touring websites that list mash-up artist Super Mash Bros. performing at Northwestern on May 29, but the Weinberg junior declined to confirm the rumor.

Gebhardt said other headliners will be announced later this week contingent on contracts.

– Leezia Dhalla