This Midwinter, something remarkable is stirring on the banks of the River Nith. The Stove Network has announced the launch of Phanto Spectra, a brand-new immersive installation forming part of the Northern Lights Dumfries trail at the 2026 Big Burns Supper.
Running from 15th – 17th January 2026, Phanto Spectra will transform the banks of the River Nith into an immersive, auditory exploration of Dumfries’ deep cultural connection with Scotland’s Travelling Showpeople.
Created as part of the Stove’s Hear Here initiative and created by artist Martin Joseph O’Neill, the work invites audiences to step into an evocative blend of sound, scenic design, storytelling and place-based memory.
Phanto Spectra appears in the festival programme as one of the highlighted installations within the Northern Lights trail, described as “An odyssey of the fair. A ghost in the town. A ride through memory, presence, and what is yet to come.”
A Living Landscape of Memory and Light
Drawing on centuries of Showpeople heritage dating back to the 1500s, Phanto Spectra uses binaural sound and theatrical sleight of hand to reveal hidden stories and celebrate the remarkable cultural contributions of travelling fairs. Audiences are invited to listen to spectral voices and rediscover the town’s deep connection to these traditions, as the surrounding environment subtly shifts in response to movement.
The installation has been developed through collaboration with Showpeople, local artists, historians and community groups. It reimagines the riverbank as a dreamlike landscape where past and present overlap in a fluid and immersive experience. The work also reflects on the changing future of Dumfries’ waterfront and the social questions raised by ongoing flood defence developments.
A Major New Work for Northern Lights Dumfries
Phanto Spectra joins the expanded 2026 Northern Lights programme, which features 16 free light and sound installations across Dumfries. This forms part of a large-scale creative reimagining of public space during the festival period.
Big Burns Supper’s refreshed 2026 format introduces new collaborations between artists, cultural partners and community organisations throughout the town. These include installations such as Burns Light, Washing Line, Birds on a Wire and Divided
The work is supported by £20,000 of Experiment funding from Immersive Arts UK, enabling the project to explore innovative approaches to immersive storytelling, accessibility, public engagement and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
The Stove Network has emphasised the importance of this moment for the town and the relevance of immersive storytelling in shaping local conversations – “The Stove is thrilled and honoured to be part of this important national project.
“This funding will allow us to use immersive technologies to bring to life the compelling stories of less-represented groups in our town, at a moment of significant decision-making about Dumfries’ future.”
Most events in the Northern Lights trail are free to attend. Optional VIP tickets are available to support event sustainability and to provide queue-skipping options during Big Burns Supper 2026.
Event Details
Phanto Spectra
Dates: 15 to 17 January 2026
Location: River Nith, Dumfries.
Presenting
Partners: Northern Lights and Big Burns Supper Festival
Created by: Martin Joseph O’Neill for The Stove Network
Supported by: Immersive Arts UK and Hear Here initiative
Watch the official teaser now on Instagram here, check out @stovenetwork, @immersivearts_uk and discover more at https://immersivearts.uk/projects/phanto-spectra/.
