Festivalgoers are furious after the first day of main stage performances were axed at the eleventh hour due to wet weather. 

As the first performance was due to take to the main stage, organisers pulled the plug “in the interest of patron safety”.

Patrons with day passes have been asked not to attend but destination spaces will remain open for campers who remain on site.

Statement from Splendour in the Grass organisers pic.twitter.com/zcROtIEKex

— SplendourintheGrass (@SITG) July 22, 2022

The decision comes after relentless rain wreaked havoc overnight.

Campers waited more than 15 hours to enter the grounds and set up camp, only to find a flooded and muddy grounds.

Just after 9am today, organisers told those still queueing they would have to turn around and stay at an off-site camping ground instead.

Areas of Byron Bay recorded up to 22 millimetres of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

More rain is forecast in the coming days and is only expected to ease on Monday.

Image: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images