• Anyone fancy coming to monaghan for a session this Saturday? http://fb.me/EXstIdUO #
• Sand dunes in Tossa de Mar are so much better than those in Barcelona!!!! #
• getting back into the swing of things, slowly but surely!! #
• RIP. Derek Nally, our thoughts are with your family. #
• Catch me and the World Shakers live in Dun Laoghaire at 3pm tomorrow for Festival Of World Cultures. http://fb.me/DIG9OSLe #

To many he was like the ghost of Whelan’s on Wexford St in Dublin, or maybe, he was the the person who left the man in the hat waiting with a drink so long he turned into a statue in the music venue. For those of you who never met Derek, he was the 50 something year old guy smoking a fag with a coffee in his hand either in the smoking area or outside, always on the watch for the next real talent with that hawk-like look of his.
I first met Derek back in 2002 when he first booked me for a gig in Whelans, and I can safely say upon first encounter I didn’t really hit it off with him. It was only after the third or fourth encounter that a mutual respect began to evolve between us.
Derek had a life time experience behind him in the music industry, and I found myself calling him up and drawing from it, which he would so gladly gave.
There are so many people who would, I’m sure, be a lot closer to Derek than I, and who would do a better job at writing this than perhaps I am doing. But having missed his funeral on Monday, due to being abroad, I feel this may be my only way to say goodbye and thank you.
Maybe the man in the hat no longer has to wait alone at the bar, as his friend is ready to join him now.

RIP Derek
Your friend,
Simon

I’m playing the Butty Barn fundraiser up in Monaghan this Saturday. The good people of Flat Lake festival are raising some money to cover outstanding bills from their festival in order to be able to host it again next year. There are some great bands playing on the day and there will be camping available for all who’d like to stay over. It’s gonna be a cracker so click on the poster and purchase your tickets.

• Just updated my twitter profile and feeling quite proud!! #
• packing my bags and hitting the sun in Barcelona for a week or so!!! #
• Catch me live next Saturday with my band at the Festival Of World Cultures. All be onstage around 3pm. http://fb.me/Cq9TveZz #
• got my wallet nicked in Barcelona last night by a cleaning lady with a moustache…….the joys!!!! #

• Just received a silent rehearsal studio from JamHub thanks to the International Songwriting Competition. This will… http://fb.me/AVQ1X8nW #
• just dropped Snowy to the airport. He's off to Spain on a surfing holiday with Tommy and Q dawg, the lucky F**ker!!! #

• Thanks so much to everyone who made it down to Birr on Sat, was a great night!!!! http://fb.me/BN631d1N #
• well done to the all the lads from the Meath team yesterday?………COME ON THE ROYALS!!! http://fb.me/DoWSuhOf #
• I just recieved 50 sets of strings from D'Addario Strings and Planet Waves thanks to the International Songwriting… http://fb.me/AB19GCtw #

11 pm on a Sunday night, totally wiped on the couch from the hectic weekend just gone, delaying the inevitable, I flick through the TV stations. My eyes sting for the want of sleep, but there’re determined to stay opened, especially when they stumble across a certain Mr. Wonder and his amazing band from around the world headlining Glastonbury.

Wonder, who was signed to Motown at the age of 11 had hit first #1 at the age of 13 with ‘fingertips’. He performed vocals, harmonica and bongos while a certain Marvin Gaye played drums on it.

Fronting the celebrations of the 40 yr old festival, Stevie invited the deep voice of  festival organiser, Michael Eavis, on stage to sing happy birthday at the end of his set, which the crowd went crazy for!

His band consisted of 3 backing vocals, drums, 2 percussion, 2 brass, bass, keys 2 guitars and a group of about 10 Tabla players from around the world. While introducing the band he named every member and where they were from.  Even though, if it were you or I reading them, we’d find it hard to pronounce them, never mind remember all of them. But no, not Stevie!!

He played all the hits, ‘Superstition’, ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’, ‘We Can Work It Out’ and a lot more. In fact, his repertoire is so extensive that he could still be playing 24hrs later and not repeat one song. After all, this is the only solo artist who has been awarded no least than twenty two grammys, so far.

In 2009 he was awarded the title of ‘Messenger of Peace’ by the United Nations, and again last night you tell the reason why. He requested people make the world a more accessible place for those of us with disabilities. I must say, I find it a lot easier to listen to Stevie spreading his words of peace and human righteous, as appose to Bono, as many would I’m sure.

Stevie played Dublin’s 02 last Thurs night and from what I hear it was also a belter of a gig.  I really hope I haven’t missed my last chance to see this master at work.  When it comes to an artist of this calibre, only the likes of Dylan like to play Ireland more than once in a year.

The first time I heard the groove of ‘Superstition’ he had it all going on, and I can safely say.

Stevie’s, still got it all going on!!!!

• Lets hope this sun stays out to play until Sat! As Astral Plains is nearly upon us!!! http://fb.me/BYWN9Pae #
• Heading to see Pearl Jam this eve in the o2, can't bloody wait. Support from Ben Harper. Read about it tomor when… http://fb.me/BF5KEqfQ #
• Summer Festivals – http://eepurl.com/Em6P #
• What happened to the guy who fell off the balcony in the 02 on tues night while at Pearl Jam, is he still alive??? http://fb.me/zfc6gCdI #
• Simon Fagan has a show coming up on 2010-06-26 at 14:00 @ Astral Plains Festival, Bi… in Birr http://soc.li/YCBdrCQ #
• On Newstalk air waves at 11:45 this morn and
  then heading down to Birr to play Astral Plains!! http://fb.me/AsuAn8mw #

A little note on stage times etc… for Astral Plains this weekend.

Astral Plains is taking place in Birr Castle next Saturday 26th June. There is a cracking line up and loads of other quirky entertainment. I’ll be taking to the stage from 4.15-5.15 on the main stage. I’ll have a few friends joining me for a couple of songs and planning a big set.

Tickets for the festival are €42 and can be bought in any HMV or online from Ticket Group and will also be available on the day.

The festival kicks off at 11 am, so arrive early  as there are close to 40 acts performing. With some great bands including Fred, Jaded Sun, Cathy Davey, Doctor Leaves to name a few.
There is camping at the event also, which will cost an extra €10 but will be a fancy dress party for those of you who are up for an all night session!…  I plan on camping with the rest of the band, so grab your tent and join us for a party with us!
For more information about the event, please go to www.astralplains.ie or www.facebook.com/astralplains
We hope to see some of you guys there.
Cheers

Simon

PS. There’s fancy dress so grad your wigs and pack your fake glasses!

• TOWER RECORDS – LIVE PERFORMANCE – THURSDAY 17th, 6pm -
  SIMON FAGAN http://bit.ly/aaHZ6i #
• looking for your 1st 2nd and 3rd winning world cup teams people. There's 20 quid on it!!! http://bit.ly/aSgLgv #
• Tomorrow (Thurs) at 6pm I'll be playing live with my band and signing copies of my album? in Tower Records (Dublin). http://bit.ly/cECJt5 #
• Tower records for 6 this eve,pop in after work, bring your mates and your boss!!!! http://fb.me/APjpFKi1 #
• heading out to play wilkfest in the sun!! http://fb.me/ul0nSIZo #