Ever wondered how the songs are picked to soundtrack your favourite television shows? Music supervisor, Ciara Elwis, joins Annie and Nick to talk about working with PJ Harvey, curating endless playlists and the lengths she’s gone to to get a song cleared. Elsewhere, it’s been a good week for new music - Ethel Cain’s new album has prompted both confusion and admiration while Bad Bunny’s has made the whole world cry. Plus, Mac Miller has a new posthumous release, the government are proposing a cap on the cost of resale tickets and TikTok is being banned in America – but what does it mean for the music industry?

Patrick Hernandez - Born To Be Alive

JADE – IT girl

Shygirl – F*Me

Celeste – Everyday

Joy Crookes / Vince Staples – Pass The Salt

Death in Vegas - Dirge

Mos Def – UMI Says

Mac Miller – Five Dollar Pony Rides

PJ Harvey – Who By Fire

Madonna – Like A Prayer

The Prodigy – Firestarter

INXS – Never Tear Us Apart

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Murder on the Dancefloor

Bad Bunny – DtMF

Bad Bunny - BAILE INoLVIDABLE

Van Morrison – Sweet Thing

OutKast – Prototype

Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy

ALBUMS:

Ethel Cain – Perverts

Mac Miller – Balloonerism

Bad Bunny - DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

TV SHOWS/FILMS:

Bad Sisters, Apple TV

I May Destroy You, BBC & HBO

A Clockwork Orange

A Complete Unknown

As she continues her meteoric rise to fame, Annie and Nick share why Doechii should be your new favourite artist. Elsewhere, The Traitor’s has returned to our screens along with its iconic soundtrack – but who chooses the songs? Plus, we officially have our first Glastonbury headliner for 2025, SZA might be solely making children’s music from now on and Nick’s losing faith in Rihanna ever releasing new music.

SONGS MENTIONED:

Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart

Ready or Not - Fugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean & Pras

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Marea (we’ve lost dancing) - Fred Again & The Blessed Madonna

Father Figure - George Michael

Somebody to Love - Queen & George Michael

Rockin’ in the Free World - Neil Young

The Other Side - SZA, Justin Timberlake

DENIAL IS A RIVER - Doechii

Nissan Ultima - Doechii

Crazy - Doechii

Balloon - Tyler, the Creator feat. Doechii

MIXTAPE MENTIONED:

Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii

FILMS/TV SHOWS MENTIONED:

The Traitors, BBC One

George Michael At The BBC, BBC Two

Saltburn

Babygirl

Conclave

Earth Mama

From hotly tipped artists to unmissable live music moments - Annie, Nick and BBC News Correspondent Mark Savage look forward to 2025’s musical offerings, including the return of both Oasis and (hopefully) Madonna. Elsewhere, America is facing a ban on TikTok – but what impact could that have on the wider music industry? Plus, the rise and rise of Doechii, the changing sound of pop music and more Glastonbury predictions.

Annie and Nick reflect on some of their favourite moments with Sidetracked guest co-hosts, from Charli XCX defining Brat for the first time to Robert Smith revealing his genius music filing system. Or what about the time JADE revealed her most awkward onstage crisis? Plus, CMAT’s strong takedown of the Country music industry, SELF ESTEEM’s notes app entries and Kylie’s clubbing stories.

Annie and Nick are joined by Robert Smith to review the year in music. He’s the lead singer of The Cure, one of the UK’s most influential bands ever - they’ve headlined Glastonbury 4 times, sold over 35 million albums, and their 2024 album, Songs of a Lost World, was one of the most talked about records on Sidetracked this year.

For Sidetracked’s first ever Christmas party, Annie and Nick are joined by singer SELF ESTEEM, Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso, comedian Joanne McNally and BBC Music Correspondent Mark Savage, at their favourite Irish pub.

As Kneecap win their discrimination case against the UK government, Annie and Nick discuss the relationship between music and politics – but how much freedom do artists really have? Elsewhere, Massive Attack are leading the charge on low carbon gigging and demonstrating how live music can become more sustainable. Plus, Liam Gallagher’s plaque has gone missing from Lidl, Solange might have new music on the horizon and how brat was Charli XCX’s Brat tour?

Having spent their formative years in clubs around the UK, Annie and Nick unpack why club culture is disappearing and what can be done to save it.

Is the art of the music video dead? Following last week’s discussion about the MTV EMA’s, Annie and Nick share some of your comments about the relevancy of music videos. Elsewhere, Beyoncé has announced that she will play an NFL half time show on Christmas Day, but which artist would you abandon Christmas dinner for? Plus, Bjork is recreating the sounds of extinct animals, Ed Sheeran wishes he wasn’t on the new Band Aid song and Charli XCX might have the most supportive parents in the business.

Grammy nominations and the EMAs have welcomed us back into awards season, but are they still relevant and should we even care? BBC Music Correspondent Mark Savage gives his analysis.