Femi Koleoso sits in for Nick, to discuss the week in music with Annie. Femi is the bandleader/drummer for the BRIT Award and Mercury Prize winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective, and he's also a DJ, Producer, Youth Leader and now a 6 Music Presenter.

With the help of Sidetracked listeners, Femi and Annie discuss Dolly Parton and how she'll be remembered as one of the kindest and most generous musicians of all time. From Eminem to children all over the world, whose life hasn't been impacted by Dolly?

Elsewhere, the summer festival season has drawn to a close – what can we learn from this year? Femi was inspired by the message RAYE delivered at her Reading headline set, and he and Annie explain why Notting Hill Carnival 2026 was even more magical than usual.

Ezra Collective's fourth studio album, Here Because of Hope, is due for release on 11th September.

SONGS

Ezra Collective & Lila Iké - Well Organised

Spice Girls - Wannabe

The Weather Girls - It's Raining Men

Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande - Rain On Me

N-Trance - Set You Free

Dolly Parton - Jolene

Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colours

Annie and Nick are reunited after four weeks apart, and there's a lot to catch up on.

As they recall their separate summer holiday adventures – Annie's was rustic, Nick’s involved a medical emergency that required intervention from Charli XCX – they discover a mutual summer theme of heatwaves, football and steroid injections.

The pair finally discuss all the biggest album releases, what it’s like to watch football in a pub with Olivia Dean, why Annie might have levitated while listening to the new Phoebe Bridgers album, and what they both thought of the World Cup halftime show after having weeks to think about it.

Elsewhere, Kacey Musgraves keeps her promise about giant mirror balls, Madonna dominates the VMAs with 11 nominations, and Reading & Leeds have dropped the BBC Introducing stage, which leads to valid questions about nepo babies in music – can they escape the shadow of famous parents?

Annie provides listeners with her guide to surviving Notting Hill Carnival, and both Annie and Nick begin to wonder if the Sidetracked studio is haunted.

Contains strong language.

Given the recent sad news about Dolly Parton, Annie and Nick are asking for your personal tributes to the musical legend to include in next week’s episode. We’d love to give you a chance to send in your thoughts, voice notes, tributes, favourite Dolly memories, reactions, anything to say what Dolly meant to you.

You can send in Sidetracked a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]

And don’t forget you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram.

SONGS

Phoebe Bridgers - Bobby

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days are Over

Charli XCX – No One Lasts Forever

Justin Bieber – Everything Hallelujah

Shygirl - Alyse

ALBUMS

Confessions II – Madonna

Music, Fashion, Film – Charli XCX

Brat – Charli XCX

Romance – Fontaines D.C.

Never Enough – Turnstile

Knats – A Great Day in Newcastle

Phoebe Bridgers – Lost Weekend

Nick is joined by singer, DJ, rapper and Sidetracked favourite, Shygirl, to discuss the week in music, and her new single ‘Alyse’.

This week was a big one for new music releases: Phoebe Bridgers brought out her new album – and although Annie’s on holiday, Nick shares her thoughts on the record.

Troye Sivan released a beautiful new single, and the video has generated some online discourse about the male gaze; Shygirl has some thoughts on the aesthetic choices and how much they tell us about an artist’s intention.

And Fontaines D.C have dropped a new single and announced the release date of their fifth album, Nick and Shy share their thoughts on ‘Marianne’.

Plus, what it’s like to work with Madonna, Reading Festival nostalgia, and Nick recounts an awkward experience at Charli XCX’s London brat show.

You can send Sidetracked a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]

And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram.

The film Shygirl mentions is Bird.

SONGS

Shygirl - Alyse

Shygirl - Altar

Phoebe Bridgers - Bobby

Fontaines D.C. - Marianne

ALBUMS

Shygirl - Nymph

Madonna - Confessions II

Fontaines D.C. - Dopamine Chamber

Fontaines D.C. - Romance

Rosalía - Motomami

It’s the Sidetracked mid-year review, in which Annie and Nick look back on the biggest moments of 2026 so far. Back in January, they made some predictions for the year in music and it's time to find out - do they possess psychic abilities or wishful dispositions?

From Harry Styles’ return to Rosalía’s LUX tour, which moments define 2026 so far?

Featuring Mark Savage, Jessie Ware, Elmiene, and CMAT.

SONGS

Mary J. Blige - I'm Goin’ Down

Harry Styles - Aperture

Rosalía - Magnolias

Oasis - Wonderwall

Justin Bieber - DAISIES

Justin Bieber – Beauty and a Beat

Taylor Swift – I Knew It, I Knew You

Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai

ALBUMS

Rosalía - LUX

Harry Styles – Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Madonna – Confessions II

Justin Bieber - SWAG

Nick is joined by the Emotional Junglist and record-breaking music artist, Nia Archives, to discuss the week in music. Nia made headlines herself after being shortlisted for the Mercury Prize for the second time - she explains to Nick why the announcement came at a difficult time.

Elsewhere, Nick and Nia have both recently seen Grace Jones perform and discuss the many reasons why no contemporary artist could ever emulate Grace’s artistry or her perfectly curated rider.

Plus, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have broken chart records with their single ‘Rein Me In’, but what is it about the two of them that has sent the track into the history books?

Plus, Charli XCX’s Lollapalooza performance has fans excited for more live shows; Nia’s big plans for Japan’s convenience stores, and what’s it like to work with James Ellis Ford?

You can send Sidetracked a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]

And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram.

SONGS

Nia Archives – Sober Feels

Nia Archives – Boys in Blue

Kettama – Comes and Goes

Tricky feat. Mitch Sanders - I’m Yours

ALBUMS

Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist

Nia Archives – Silence is Loud

Madonna – American Life

Madonna - Music

Madonna – Ray of Light

Knats – A Great Day in Newcastle

War Child Records- Help(2)

Arca – XXXXX

Charli XCX – brat

Charli XCX – Wuthering Heights

Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film

Nick reacts to the Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist with Knats, a jazz collective who are one of the most exciting bands in the UK music scene right now - and whose latest album ‘A Great Day in Newcastle’ has been described as “the best thing to come out of the North East since Andy Carroll.”

In a year of great albums from the UK and Ireland, which artists have made it on to the most prestigious shortlist in music?

SONGS

Knats – Bowling Ball

Knats – Wor Jackie

Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know?

Arctic Monkeys - R U Mine?

Olivia Dean – Man I Need

JADE – Angel of My Dreams

Kojey Radical & Planet Giza – Expensive

Ezra Collective & Kojey Radical – No Confusion

This week’s episode will be dropping later than usual as Nick - and some very special guests - await the much-anticipated Mercury Prize Shortlist.

Annie and Nick discuss a myriad of topics chosen by Sidetracked listeners, answering questions such as: what’s it like to be backstage at big music festivals? Why were Geese accused of being an industry plant? What songs remind them each of each other?

Elsewhere, Spotify has some new proposed features, but Annie and Nick have mixed feelings about their merit. Plus, memories of the Beckhams partying late into the night at Glastonbury, how artists get paid for the many parts of their job, and who would Nick rather be - Beyoncé or Lady Gaga?

Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]

And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram.

SONGS

Feeder - Buck Rogers

Olive - You're Not Alone

Justin Bieber – Boyfriend

John Lennon – Imagine

Beyoncé - Deja Vu

Geese – Getting Killed

The one and only CMAT fills in for Nick this week - joining Annie to put the world to rights. With the World Cup Final imminent, they delve into the details of the half-time show which promises performances from Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy...and the Muppets. With only 11 minutes allocated for the entire half-time show, will it be a disaster or a masterclass?

Elsewhere, CMAT and Annie discuss Charli XCX’s album campaign, Rose Gray’s brilliant new single, and Kelela’s dreamy collaboration with PinkPantheress. Plus, Rihanna joined Jay Z on stage but why, apart from the conversation about her new music, is this culturally significant?

Other highlights include: a breakdown of Taylor Swift’s best work, the truth about the crowd at Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella, shocking insight into a possible lip-syncing epidemic, and CMAT’s burgeoning friendship with Robbie Williams.

Annie’s books for CMAT:

Rozie Kelly - Kingfisher

Addie E. Citchens - Dominion

Brendan Behan - Borstal Boy

CMAT - When a Good Man Cries

CMAT - Stay For Something

CMAT - Jamie Oliver Petrol Station

CMAT – Lord, Let That Tesla Crash

Robbie Williams - Angels

Justin Bieber – DAISIES

Justin Bieber – Beauty and a Beat

Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai

Rose Gray - Club to Your Arms

Kelela ft. PinkPantheress - The Bridge

Madonna – Vogue

Madonna – Like a Prayer

Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love

Madonna – Fragile

Charli XCX – SuperLove

Taylor Swift - Opalite

Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero

Taylor Swift - Bejeweled

Taylor Swift - So High School

Rihanna ft. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Run This Town

Rihanna - Bitch Better Have My Money

CMAT – Crazymad, for Me

CMAT - If My Wife New I'd Be Dead

Rihanna - ANTI

Rose Gray - Louder, Please

Kelela – new avatar

Madonna - Confessions Part II

Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor

Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia

Dua Lipa - Radical Optimism

Taylor Swift - Folklore

Taylor Swift – Evermore

Taylor Swift – Midnights

Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

Taylor Swift – Life of a Showgirl

In a monumental week for music news, Annie and Nick sit down to discuss their thoughts on Madonna’s long-awaited Confessions II – after months of worrying it might be anticlimactic, what do they think about the album?

And Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce had one of the most musically relevant weddings of all time but what should we learn from their rumoured choice of first dance song? And are there any rules we should stick to for wedding playlists?

Plus, Wonderwall is having a moment in the 2026 World Cup, could Oasis get involved if England make the Final?

Annie and Nick also speak to the incredible producer and musician, James Ellis Ford, about his upcoming album. James has produced albums for Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Florence and the Machine, Jessie Ware, Fontaines D.C., Carly Rae Jepsen, the Pet Shop Boys, and so many more. He talks to Annie and Nick about how he works with artists to create truly brilliant music, and how it was to make this latest solo album in a completely isolated and daunting environment – a hospital room. Plus, is James worried about how AI will change the way music producers have to work?

Lost in Another World is out on 14th August (Nick’s birthday)

Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]

And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram.

SONGS

Oasis – Wonderwall

Tina Turner - Simply the Best

Madonna – Danceteria

Madonna - One Step Away

Madonna – L.E.S Girl

Lil Louis - French Kiss

Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free

Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved

Womack & Womack – Teardrops

Janet Jackson - That's the Way Love Goes

ALBUMS

Madonna - Confessions II

Madonna – Confessions on a Dance Floor

James Ellis Ford - Lost in Another World

War Child Records- Help(2)

Charli XCX - brat