The heat of June settles over the fields as the crowds begin to gather for the beloved West Holts ritual: a crisp cider in hand, catching up with old friends, and hunting down something delicious to eat. These photographs, taken on a Thursday in 2010, capture a moment just before the magic unfolds. The stage is 99% ready for the opening band the next day, and the air hums with a quiet anticipation. As the sun dips lower, a gentle chill rolls in, coaxing everyone to shed the weight of their everyday lives and ease into the festival spirit.

There’s a special moment here that the crew hold dear — the Sound Propagation Test. Usually happening early Thursday evening, once the PA rig is set up, it’s when the system is fired up with some recorded music for a short while. To the crowd, the first notes crackling through the speakers ignite a cheer — for some, it’s like a medieval horn, a beckoning call to gather and celebrate. It’s the unofficial signal that West Holts is coming alive.