Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

Ania Magliano joins Nick to discuss the secrets of SNL UK and the week in music.

It’s been a big week for custard creams and grocery shopping, thanks to Harry Styles – but what can we learn about him from his choice of nutrition? And stick with them for a live reenactment of the music video of Coming Up Roses.

Elsewhere, Jay Z has chosen Jay Z for the 2027 Super Bowl Half-Time Show. What should we expect of his first ever appearance at the event? And what star sign is he?

And Drake’s 40th birthday has been a sartorial talking point this week – which look did Ania and Nick prefer the most? And Glee is returning! There’s one question on everyone’s lips: why?

Plus, Ania shares what it’s like to work on SNL UK and which musical acts she’d like to see on the next run of episodes in 2027.

Ania’s tour ‘Peach Fuzz’ continues around the UK and the US this year and into 2027.

SONGS

Tinashe - Melatonin

Tinashe - Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore

Harry Styles - Coming Up Roses

Queens of Noize - Indie Boys Don't Deserve It

Nicki Minaj - Anaconda

Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Phantom of the Opera

Katrina and the Waves - Walking on Sunshine

Beyoncé - Halo

ALBUMS

Tinashe – Popstar

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

Céline, steak tartare and tear gas: Nick’s just back from an unforgettable trip to Paris to see Céline Dion in concert, as well as witnessing the biggest protests France has seen in many years. What was it like to experience Céline's excellence and charisma irl? And what does it say about her power and influence that Emmanuel Macron was there on the eve of said protests?

In other music news, Cardi B has delivered one of the greatest Tiny Desk performances of all time, Miley has addressed criticism of her performance at the Hollywood Bowl, and it’s time for Annie and Nick’s final Mercury Prize predictions.

Plus (breaking news) the new Fontaines album is brilliant, but why is Liam Gallagher not on board?

And ahead of releasing his next single, Bash Croft has a big question for Annie and Nick.

SONGS

Fontaines D.C. - Six Shot Morning

Fontaines D.C. - Japan

Fontaines D.C. - Tongue

Miley Cyrus – Orbit

Dolly Parton - Jolene

Janet Jackson - Got 'Til It's Gone

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi

Ariana Grande - 7 Rings

Rodgers & Hammerstein - My Favorite Things (from The Sound of Music)

Flo Rida & Kesha - Right Round

Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

Soft Cell - Tainted Love

Rihanna – SOS

Mariah Carey – Fantasy

Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

ALBUMS

Fontaines D.C. - Dopamine Chamber

Grian Chatten - Chaos for the Fly

Fontaines D.C. - Romance

Miley Cyrus - Bangerz

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

Rhye – JOY II

Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp

Dove Ellis – Blizzard

Florence + the Machine – Everybody Scream

JADE – THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!

Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle

Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down

Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

Paul McCartney – The Boys of Dungeon Lane

RAYE – THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.

Suede – Antidepressants

War Child Records – HELP(2)

This week, Annie and Nick are once again asking: what did we do to deserve Rosalía? Her SNL performances reminded the world of just how brilliant LUX is, and perhaps they refreshed the memories of those voting for February’s Grammy Awards as well. Plus, her song with Fontaines D.C. has more than lived up to expectations – is it confirmation that the band’s new album will be as strong as the early reviews all say?

Elsewhere, Harry Styles and Thom Yorke have revealed lots about their friendship, their shared love of walking – and their different approaches to laptop maintenance. Have they influenced Justin Bieber? And why was walking a catalyst for Nick’s friendship with Amy Winehouse?

And Annie and Nick hold the third meeting of the Sidetracked Album Club, with a deep dive into Dolly Parton’s 8th studio album A Coat of Many Colors. Does it stand up 55 years on? Can we find a way to use her disses in everyday life? And why does she make Taylor Swift and Fontaines look lazy?

You can send in 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.

Papa Roach – Last Resort

ALBUMS

This week, Annie was honoured by the Ivors Academy for her contribution to music and for bringing new music to wider audiences and Nick was the one to hand her the award at a ceremony that saw Emily Eavis, James Blake, MNEK, and Stormzy take home awards too. What made James Blake’s speech about the state of the music industry so powerful and indisputable? And how does Annie feel about Stormzy shouting her out (twice) when he accepted his award?

Elsewhere, Glastonbury tickets sold out within 42 minutes leaving many people devastated not to make it through the queue. But who should headline the festival – could we see Taylor Swift make up for the lost 2020 festival? Could Céline Dion’s Paris show translate to the Pyramid Stage? And in other festival news, what do Annie and Nick make of the Primavera line up?

Plus, does divorce make someone’s art better? Annie’s been listening to Beck’s new album (whilst walking to the ponds for an autumnal swim) and it’s raised the question of whether personal woes make a musician’s output better.

And Tinashe’s latest album has already been labelled the best pop album of the year. Annie and Nick discuss why it’s so good – and how she’s not the only female artist to be getting her proper dues after years of hard work?

You can send in 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

JADE & Hans Zimmer - Into the Deep (Seas Cry)

Minnie Riperton - Les Fleurs

Tinashe - Sunglasses

Beck - Ride Lonesome

Tinashe - Popstar

Zara Larsson - Midnight Sun

Slayyyter - Wor$t Girl in America

Charli XCX - brat

Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors

Annie and Nick catch up on a busy and divisive week in music. New Stevie Wonder music has been unanimously welcomed, while the VMAs have split opinion – and inspired Annie and Nick to ask: does anyone care about them anymore?

Other questions raised this week: why do Irish people make fun of Bono so much? Why are some people being mean about Madonna on the internet? Should the VMAs have rethought the George Michael tribute? And why are many Taylor Swift fans disappointed by the bonus Life of a Showgirl tracks?

Plus, Nick has been talking football and Oasis tickets with Noel Gallagher.

You can send in 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

Stevie Wonder – My Life Story of Love

U2 – One

Dolly Parton – I Will Always Love You

Troye Sivan – Party

Taylor Swift – Patient Zero

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

GENER8ION – Storm starring Yung Lean

Justin Bieber – Yukon

ALBUMS

Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life

U2 – Rattle and Hum

Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl

Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl: Encore

BAFTA winning writer, and pop culture afficionado, Jack Rooke joins Annie to discuss the week in music.

In a week that saw Ed Sheeran continue his US tour after all his support acts pulled out in solidarity with Macklemore, Annie and Jack discuss his on-stage statements, and they look at how other artists have dealt with politics and activism in the past.

Elsewhere, Céline Dion has won the hearts of the world just by being herself outside her Paris hotel, Madonna and Charli have finally confirmed their collab, and MNEK is back with an album that Jack loves.

Plus, MPs are going to scrutinise the UK's "dismal" record in selecting songs and acts for Eurovision – but does anyone care?

You can send in 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

Melanie C & Bryan Adams - When You're Gone

Melanie C - I Turn to You

Madonna & Charli XCX - Danceteria(Afterhours)

Solange - Losing You

Tiesto – Business

MNEK & Joel Corry – Head & Heart

Zara Larsson & MNEK - Never Forget You

The Saturdays - All Fired Up

Troye Sivan – Party

Troye Sivan – One Of Your Girls

ALBUMS

Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor

Charli XCX - brat

Solange - A Seat at the Table

Solange - When I Get Home

Empress Of - Dream House

MNEK – BULLDOZER!!

This episode was recorded over the course of 2 days, as the main story changed drastically in the space of 24 hours.

In a week that saw Ed Sheeran's tour become global news, after Macklemore was dropped as a support act, Annie and Nick discuss the ramifications of the different decisions and events of the past few days. What does this mean for artists, venues and fans? And will it change the way artists and their teams respond to similar situations in the future?

Elsewhere, Oasis have announced a huge new tour for 2027, Charli XCX has explained why 6 Europe dates is enough for her, and Harry Styles has alluded to a break from the usual cycle of album, tour, another tour, another album.

Plus Glastonbury tickets will go on sale in two weeks, Annie's reached new highs as a DJ, and Nick retells Pandora's Box for a contemporary audience.

You can send in 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

SILVERWINGKILLER - WORLDSTAR

The War on Drugs - Who's That

Shygirl - Alyse

Shygirl - Lucky

Madonna - Like a Prayer

Los del Río - Macarena

Macklemore - HIND'S HALL

ALBUMS

beabadoobee - pylon

Shygirl - Swallow

Floating Points - Mere Mortals

Annie and Nick are reunited, and there's a lot to get into. Oasis are having a busy time with a new documentary film about to be released, cryptic videos hinting at 2027 shows, and Noel's daughter Anaïs casually telling/reminding people that he's banned from China in a YouTube Q&A.

Elsewhere, Miley Cyrus is now just Miley and Annie explains why she thinks that makes so much sense – but she and Nick disagree about the new single. And Madonna has reignited the rumours that she and Charli XCX have recorded a song together.

Plus, the biggest story of the week/year: Stevie Wonder is doing a tour for the 50th Anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life – and they don't clash with Ian's birthday this time.

SONGS

Olivia Dean – Man I Need

Madonna – Vogue

George Michael – Freedom

Ol' Dirty Bastard – Shimmy Shimmy Ya

Miley Cyrus – Bass Persuades

Miley Cyrus – Flowers

Miley Cyrus – Mother's Daughter

Stevie Wonder – Pastime Paradise

Stevie Wonder – I Wish

Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke

Stevie Wonder – Isn't She Lovely

Stevie Wonder – As

Stevie Wonder – Another Star

Oasis – Don't Look Back in Anger

Jay-Z – Empire State of Mind

Jay-Z - Ni**as In Paris

Madonna – L.E.S. Girl

Adéla – Ain't in LA

Dolly Parton – Early Morning Breeze

Dolly Parton – Jolene

ALBUMS

Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life

Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt

Adéla – Prima

Massive Attack – Blue Lines

Leftfield – Leftism

Goldie – Timeless

Oasis – Definitely Maybe

Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill

The xx – The xx

Dolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors

Dolly Parton – Jolene

Floating Points – Mere Mortals

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