Booking now for 2026
SAND SILT, FLINT
A dream-like invocation of Scottish landscape, story and song – tradition meets innovation in a cinematic fusion of music, myth and moving image.
Image by Isla Goldie Photography
“Wow, that’s advanced, and beautiful!”
(IGGY POP, BBC 6MUSIC)
Music – Fiona Soe Paing Visuals – Isla Goldie
Sand, Silt, Flint - about the show
“Startling Scottish Balladry with a global scope”
(The Guardian)
Supported by Creative Scotland, Sand, Silt, Flint brings to life singer and producer Fiona Soe Paing’s critically acclaimed alt-folk album of the same name, which received ★★★★ reviews from The Guardian, The Scotsman, and Songlines, and was described by Iggy Pop on BBC 6 Music as “advanced and beautiful…”
Image by @IslaGoldiePhotography/@MarkRichards
Set against breath-taking films by artist Isla Goldie, the show draws audiences into the Scottish landscapes and stories that inspired each song. Striking location footage is layered with archive maps, charting a dreamlike journey through time and place. Weaving together ballads, folklore, and memory in an innovative re-framing of ancient tales, Sand, Silt, Flint offers a mesmerising twist on traditional Scottish folk.
Image by @MarkRichardsAuroraFindhorn
Fiona’s sound fuses otherworldly vocals, electronic textures, and a deep connection to North-East Scotland’s darker ballads and myths. The recorded score — rich with archival audio, field recordings, and contributions from some of the region’s finest traditional and contemporary musicians including Paul Anderson and Alice Allen— creates an evocative backdrop to Fiona’s live vocal performance. Originally supported by Creative Scotland, Sand, Silt, Flint recently toured the North-East to several sold-out venues and rave audience reactions.
Image by @IslaGoldiePhotography
Teaser clip
LIve performance clips with background visuals and audience reactions – The Lemon Tree Aberdeen
Hi-Res Images
Images with thanks to Isla Goldie Photography and Mark Richards Aurora Findhorn
Reviews
“Well, wow, that’s advanced, and beautiful! I really liked the whole record, but the opening track was just killer for this show”
Iggy Pop
BBC 6 MUSIC
★★★★
“Avant-garde folk doesn’t get much better than this….provides that rarest of treats- a sublimely powerful nad lingering experience.”
Billy Rough
SONGLINES MAGAZINE
★★★★
“Startling Scottish balladry with a global scope”
Jude Rogers
THE GUARDIAN
Stream album tracks
Fiona Soe Paing - Sand, Silt, Flint
“Such a great track!” (TOM ROBINSON, BBC6 MUSIC)
“Dark, extraordinary versions of traditional songs – I am already a big fan.” (ELIZABETH ALKER, BBC RADIO 3)
The Ballad Of John Hosie
Fisher's Lullaby
Technical details
The stage setup is designed to deliver an immersive experience, combining music and projected film, with one solo vocalist.
STAGE/SEATING
Playing Areas: 3m(w) x 2.5m(d) x 3m(h) Stage Set-Up: Fixed, flexible or floor-only configurations possible. Fixed/flexible rake, or cabaret style seating preferred.
SHOW TIMINGS: 55 Minutes, no interval
AUDIENCE SUITABILITY :12+, Post show talk and workshops available. No flashing lights or sudden loud noises.
LIGHTING/SOUND/AV SPEC
VENUE TO PROVIDE
Blackout capability required. Lighting let-up is minimal – assistance required to set up single spot on performer.
Minimum four channel mixing desk with onboard effects. PA system suitable for venue size, one vocal mic and stand for performer.
In-house projector if availlable. but artist can provide if necessary.
Projection screen or plain white backdrop is required, as large as possible for venue size placed centrally at rear of playing area.
ARTIST TO PROVIDE-
Macbook Pro running projected visuals and audio backing track .
Focusrite 2 i 2 Interface with 2 x 1/4 inch jack outputs (or with supplied 2 x male XLR)
Shure PSM 300 wireless receiver with 1/4 inch jack L+R outpuits.
TECH SETUP/SOUNDCHECK :
Loading access: One hatchback car. Get-in: 30 minutes. Set-up/soundcheck: Two hours. Get-out:45 minutes.
BACKSTAGE NEEDS: Private dressing room with 2 x 13a sockets and toilet.Tea/coffee facilities required.
FEE: Negotiable – open to discuss a combination of fee/box office split/profit split
Fiona Soe Paing - Biography
Aberdeenshire based Scottish/Burmese producer, songwriter and vocalist Fiona Soe Paing creates innovative and mesmerising audio-visual experiences, exploring underlying themes of language, place, belonging and identity. Her latest work “Sand, Silt, Flint” was sparked by the discovery that she is related to one of the Northeast’s renowned ballad singers, John Strachan, who was recorded by the folk archivists Alan Lomax and Hamish Henderson.
Career highlights include: the critically acclaimed Alien Lullabies, Fiona’s debut album and Made in Scotland Edinburgh Fringe show; live sessions for BBC Radio 3 and Radio Scotland, and her debut solo track included on one of the BBC DJ and musicologist Charlie Gillett’s renowned “Sound Of The World” compilation albums for Warner Music.
Fiona’s music has featured on BBC Woman’s Hour, BBC6 Music (Iggy Pop, Tom Robinson). BBC Radio 3 (Verity Sharp, Elizabeth Alker), BBC World Service (Charlie Gillett), BBC Radio 1 (Mary Anne Hobbs) Radio Scotland (Vic Galloway, Mary Ann Kennedy, The Arts Mix, Travelling Folk, ) as well as Radio Scotland’s Out of Doors show and the award-winning podcast Folk On Foot.
I already knew a few local ballads, but when I discovered a connection to the singer John Strachan, that was a lightbulb moment when everything clicked into place...
CREDITS
Music :Fiona Soe Paing. Visuals: Isla Goldie.
Costume: April XJ Pressley. Cello: Alice Allen.
Fiddle: Paul Anderson. Drums: David McKay.
Clarinet: Joanna Nicholson. Guitar: Thee Manual Labour.
Clarsach – Irene Watt
(+44) 7527-154231
Phone