Kanye West takes to stage 45 minutes late at Big Day Out

Kanye West has upset his Australian fans by turning up 45 minutes late to his performance at the Big Day Out last night.

The American hip hop artist, who was the headline act at the Gold Coast music festival, reportedly blamed his late arrival on the rain.

Band Soundgarden were also annoyed when West carried out his soundcheck during their performance. Lead singer Chris Cornell told The Daily Telegraph: "Sounds like there's children playing music there, retarded children, retarded as in held back. There's no other word for it." Soundgarden's fans then started booing West.

Acts such as The Living End, The Jezabels and Hilltop Hoods all performed at the Big Day Out to crowds of more than 38,000.

Festival organiser Ken West said that despite being "punished" for "getting [the lineup] wrong in tough economic times" over the past couple of years, he has dedicated himself to "rebuild[ing] the brand", adding: "We are not allowed to let our audience down... we're already negotiating with bands for 2013."

The Sydney Big Day Out takes place in the Sydney Showgrounds this coming Thursday.

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Watch Kanye West perform live at last year's Splendour in the Grass music festival below: