Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

Annie and Nick are joined by James Blake to discuss the week in music. He’s a Grammy award winning singer and producer, who’s worked with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Beyoncé and last year, he walked away from his record deal to become an independent artist. After last week’s depressing look into the state of British music, does James have some solutions?

Elsewhere, inspired by Chrissie Hynde sharing her thoughts on what’s cool and uncool, James thinks we should call time on making fun of Coldplay. They also pay tribute to neo soul icon Angie Stone, share their thoughts on Sir Elton John’s duet with Chappell Roan and James recounts the time he met Stevie Wonder.

Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16 WhatsApp 079700 82700 or email [email protected].

SONGS

Sabrina Carpenter – Please, Please, Please

Angie Stone - No More Rain (In This Cloud)

Angie Stone - Wish I Didn’t Miss You

James Blake – Like The End

Mina, Mark Ronson – Ancora, ancora, ancora

Van Morrison – Sweet Thing

Kate Bush – The Morning Fog

Peter Gabriel – Here Comes The Flood

Brian Eno, Jon Hopkins, Leo Abrahams – Emerald and Lime

ALBUMS

ARTISTS

Dave

Little Simz

Nils Frahm

HorsegiirL

Recorded in the back of a cab on the way from The O2 to an afterparty, Nick and CMAT have all the goss from this year’s BRIT Awards.

Do the charts have the same relevance they once did? Annie and Nick discuss the potential reasons why there are no UK artists in the annual global top 10 for the first time since 2003. Elsewhere, Kate Bush is one of a thousand musicians behind a silent album to protest the government's proposed changes to copyright law. Should we be worried about artists having their identities stolen, or should we embrace change? Plus, Rihanna is set to release new music but it won’t be “radio digestible”, Lola Young has a tough question, and Nick’s back on the radio.

SONGS:

Rihanna - Umbrella

Rihanna - Pon De Replay

Rihanna - Shut Up and Drive

Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly

Roberta Flack – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Gwen McCrae – All This Love That I’m Giving

Gwen McCrae - Keep The Fire Burning

Benson Boone – Beautiful Things

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us

Noah Kahan – Stick Season

Hozier – Too Sweet

Artemas – I Like the Way You Kiss Me

Oasis - Whatever

ALBUMS:

Rihanna – ANTI

1,000 UK Artists – Is This What We Want?

The Clash, Paul Simonon, Joe Strummer, Madonna, Rihanna, Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, Annie Lennox, Roberta Flack, Gwen McCrae, Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Noah Kahan, Hozier, Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Charli XCX, Artemas, Chase & Status, Stormzy, Wham!, Oasis, Ezra Collective, Lola Young, Central Cee, English Teacher, Sam Fender, Stray Kids, FKA Twigs, Myles Smith, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Oslo Twins, Joy Crookes, JADE, Robert Smith, CMAT, James Blake

Electronic music is more popular than ever before but is the government doing enough to support its continued growth? Singer and producer Kelly Lee Owens joins Nick to discuss her relationship with the genre, the role of small venues in sustaining club culture and what the future holds for DJs. Elsewhere, Chappell Roan’s call to action has been heard by UMG as they announce a new mental health fund. Plus, mums at raves, Kneecap at the Baftas and Madonna fangirling continues.

Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16, WhatsApp on 079700 82700 or email [email protected]

Yune Pinku

Or:la

Decius – Birth Of A Smirk

Decius – Queen Of 14th Street

Massive Attack/Sinead O’Connor - What Your Soul Sings

FKA Twigs/Koreless – Drums Of Death

Madonna – Bedtime Story

Madonna – Secret

Madonna – Human Nature

Madonna – Like A Prayer

Elvis – In the Ghetto

Bill Withers – Lovely Day

Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real

Bill Withers – Use Me

Livin’ Joy – Dreamer

Inner City – Good Life

Kelly Lee Owens – Dreamstate

Decius – Decius Vol. 2 (Splendour & Obedience)

Kelela – In The Blue Light

Madonna – Bedtime Stories

Madonna – Ray Of Light

Madonna – Confessions On A Dancefloor

Daniel Avery – Drone Logic

What is the reality of signing a record deal? With 13 years of skin in the game, Mahalia joins Annie to discuss Chappell Roan’s Grammy speech, the power of putting her money where her mouth is, and the measures labels should be taking to protect their artists. Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show was a display of intelligence and artistry – and marked the return of bootcut jeans. Plus, Elton John’s collaborative style, working with Stormzy and what is the ultimate love song?

Songs:

How has music influenced fashion, which gigs would you go back in time to see and where have all the bands gone? Annie and Nick answer your questions. Plus, is ‘Eusexua’ the perfect presidential walk-on song?

Why does seeing live music give you a natural endorphin hit? Annie and Nick discuss the collective experience of going to a gig and why the benefits are essential to our human experience. Elsewhere, Gracie Abrams fans have started a petition to remove support act Dora Jar from her European tour, but what does it say about fan entitlement? Plus, Bruno Mars and Sexyy Red have made WAP for dads, Central Cee and Aitch have brought rap beef to the UK and Eusexua, Mesexua – the standout moments from FKA Twigs’ new album.

Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16, WhatsApp 079700 82700 or email [email protected]

Songs:

Lola Young – Messy

FKA Twigs – Eusexua

From Charli XCX and Ezra Collective to The Cure and Dua Lipa – this year’s BRIT Awards nominations have been revealed. In this bonus episode, Annie and Nick share their predictions, unpack the biggest takeaways and explore why the BRITs still matter in 2025.

What do Timothée Chalamet, Spandau Ballet and peanut butter sandwiches all have in common? Annie and Nick debrief their trip to the premiere of A Complete Unknown, including the sense of defiance that defines Bob Dylan’s musical legacy and whether artists like Chappell Roan embody that quality today. Elsewhere, Drake is taking his rap beef with Kendrick to court – but what impact will this have on the culture of diss tracks? Plus, the musical highlights (and lowlights) from Trump’s inauguration, the weird and wonderful genius of David Lynch and the philosophy Honey Dijon likes to live by.

NEWSLETTER:

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