US rapper Kanye West proclaimed himself to be at the top of the hip-hop ladder as he headlined the Global Gathering Festival in Stratford-Upon-Avon tonight (July 25th).

The rapper, who was making his only UK festival appearance of 2008, wowed a 55,000 strong crowd with hit-laden set that pulled tracks from his three studio albums.

But, despite his undeniable enthusiasm, much of West’s set was plagued by poor sound levels that meant some of his biggest tracks failed to resonate amongst the audience.

Taking to the stage shortly after 9.30pm, West, who was dressed in smart black jacket and colourful t-shirt, began his performance with ‘Good Morning’ and ‘I Wonder’ – both of which feature on the rapper’s third album ‘Graduation’.

From there, he ploughed into ‘Diamonds from Sierra Leone’, which had the festival crowd forming diamond shapes with their hands.

After a powerful rendition of ‘Alls Fall Down’, West, who spoke sporadically throughout his set, praised the crowd, saying: “Feels so good to hit the stage and rock 55,000 of you.”

Although West’s set had been billed as the only UK performance of his Glow in the Dark tour, which wowed American crowds earlier this year, the rapper refrained from any high profile collaborations.

Instead, he simply rapped over the Chris Martin featuring ‘Homecoming’ and Estelle’s ‘American Boy’.

None of the elaborate light displays and stage props that captivated US audiences failed to materialise either.

Speaking to Gigwise, one festivalgoer described West’s set as “soulless”, adding: ‘It’s a bit like the Kerry Katona of festival performances.”

But by the time West dropped ‘Stronger’, his final song of the night, the earlier sound problems were a distant memory as the crowd sang along to the Daft Punk sampling song.

Kanye West’s set list:

1. SONG>Good Morning
2. SONG>I Wonder
3. SONG>Heard 'Em Say
4. SONG>Champion
5. SONG>Diamonds Are Forever
6. SONG>Flashing Lights
7. SONG>Homecoming
8. SONG>Stronger (exert)
9. SONG>All Falls Down
10. SONG>Touch The Sky
11. SONG>Gold Digger
12. SONG>Good Life
13. SONG>Jesus Walks
14. SONG>American Boy
15. SONG>Stronger

(by Jason Gregory)