Playing in obscure places and bars around the lesser-visited parts of Europe is nothing new to the Manx music duo Brown Sugar.

But, even by their adventurous standards, their travels this summer took them to one of the most unknown and obscure and hidden countries in Europe, with a pub gig in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Ever since 2011, Brown Sugar, namely guitarist Derek Allen and Claire Thomas, have embarked on a trek across Europe, playing at weddings, pubs, clubs and parties, at the invitation of those they meet on their travels or through people who come to the Isle of Man to enjoy the TT races.

During a trip through Greece and the Balkans three years ago, a chance encounter led them to playing a gig that many would not have though would be possible.

’We were travelling home through really mountainous countryside, and it was only a stone’s throw away from Greece,’ said Derek. ’As we pulled into the village, there was a guy in uniform, who waved me down. I thought he was going to check the vehicle.

’He asked "what do you want?", to which we replied that we wanted to stay the night. He said "No! What do you want to drink!"

He was just a lovely guy, called Adi Hoxha, and we enjoyed his company. It turned out he was an Albanian Border policeman.

’When we played in Macedonia last year, we gave him a ring, and he came out to meet us.

’We got on again, and we even swapped hats! I gave him my trilby and he gave me his policeman’s hat. I remember thinking that would never happen anywhere else.

’He said then we should come to Albania to play, and it all happened from there.

’I still find it amazing that the Albanian law enforcement found us a gig in their country.’

They ended up playing outside a bar, the Hemingway Fan Club, in Tirana, in mid July and, with the daytime temperatures reaching 42 degrees, they decided to perform out on the street, which was closed off at night.

’The guy who ran the place came out and said that we shouldn’t play in there as it was so hot and we’d melt!

’But he wanted us to play outside the club on the street.

We literally set all the gear up on the pavement and played for two or three hours.

’That was the standout moment of the summer,’ continued Derek.

’Not only for the gig, but for the fact we played there at all. Albania has been more-or-less closed to the world almost since the Second World War, until recent years.

’And it is funny, because the only person from the West who was allowed to show films there was Norman Wisdom.’

Norman Wisdom’s films have proven so popular in Albania that the comic was given the freedom of the city of Tirana in 1995.

’Everyone knew him, and his film character Pipkin there. You would mention him and everyone would roll around on the floor laughing.

’We really played on the Manx connection there!’

Their experiences in Albania have led them to want to return there next year, when they embark on another summer long tour of European countries.

’We just played the one gig in Albania, just to test the waters, but we do want to go back there,’ said Derek.

’This year, we went to Ireland to play a few gigs there first. We then went to France, and back over the UK, and also to Germany.

In the past we have been to Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, all over.

We went to play in Kosovo last year, and we were told that we were the first group from the island to go there!

’We have played a lot in Greece and in some of the other Balkan countries too. There is also a smashing little pub in Hull that always likes to have us on.

’We get most of our gigs on the continent through the TT, and through TT riders and motorbike clubs, certainly in Germany.

’Usually they are gigs in thelocal pubs and clubs.’

The busy duo have already started planning their escapades for next year, including dates in Belgrade, Serbia, as well as Whitby in the UK.

’We start at the end of June, after TT, and then we’re off, and we stay away for three weeks,’ said Derek.

’We both just love to have the adventure of going away, touring and living in a van.’

by Mike Wade

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