By Graeme Esson BBC News Online Scotland

The number of maggots swarming around Glasgow indicated that one band would dominate proceedings at Gig on the Green - Slipknot.

The boiler-suited and be-masked nu-metallers were third on the bill behind Prodigy and The Offspring.

But their fans were everywhere as the first day of the festival got under way, sporting a line-up with a rather metallic sheen.

In addition to the thousands dressed in the Iowa band's T-shirts, there were countless others who took things a stage further with boiler suits, face paint and even home-made masks.

The Prodigy were Saturday's headliners

And the band repaid their fans' devotion with a set which even managed to win over those who came simply to sneer.

It wouldn't be hard to poke fun at the band's extreme metal pantomime, the masks and matching boilers suits and the fact that their fresh-faced fans - nicknamed maggots - seem to have an average age of 14.

The frenzied antics of Clown, for example, can sometimes appear closer to those of an overexcited toddler in a romper suit.

But the band do produce a pretty impressive noise, with the power of their music hard to deny.

And they put plenty of effort into a show which left everyone happy - despite early technical hitches.

Partisan crowd

The rapturous reception received by Slipknot stole the thunder somewhat from headliners The Prodigy.

The antics of Keith Flint and Maxim could not avoid looking a little tame compared to the Slipknot show.

However, the festival experts had no trouble in whipping up a partisan crowd.

Trail of Dead dished out free drinks

The set flitted between old favourites like Firestarter and Poison and material off the band's forthcoming album.

The newer tracks - with the exception of an ill-advised ska outing - fared well, particularly new single Baby's Got a Temper.

The main stage also saw the punk-lite of old-timers NOFX and the less-than-brilliant Offspring.

Many of the maggots were also squirming with pleasure to an early-afternoon set from Amen, who took the day in a more trad-metal direction.

Singer Casey Chaos tended to bound about the stage like a sheepdog with the shakes, while some suspiciously Spinal Tap-style moves were thrown by his band mates on occasion.

However, no-one could argue that it was all heartfelt, which is always something in this age of corporate nu-metal.

Slipknot's set thrilled their fans

Equally heartfelt, although light years ahead musically, the best band of the day could be found on the second stage.

The heart-stopping guitar skree of Trail of Dead makes for one of the most visceral live shows around, even if the on-stage behaviour seemed a little less manic than on the band's previous visits to Glasgow.

That was, of course, until the drum kit got demolished and the band decided to dish out the backstage drinks to the audience. Then throw a drum into the crowd.

The other notable performances from the second tent included hotly-tipped garage sensation The Streets.

Mike Skinner's effortless stage presence shone through as he recounted his tales of urban life.

Amen were well received on the main stage

The fans in the packed tent loved it, and rightly so.

There was also a tremendous reception for Biffy Clyro, a Scottish band who are building up a strong following - and it's easy to see why.

A large crowd was there early to catch their powerful set, which mixed a lot of emo with a bit of Slint-like math rock to very good effect.

There were more stop-start songs over on the main stage as the uncompromising Dillinger Escape Plan saw their billing increase slightly due to the non-appearance of Raging Speedhorn.