Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

2026 Mercury Prize Shortlist with Knats

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

Coming Soon...2026 Mercury Prize Shortlist

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

Glastonbury Secrets, Remixing John Lennon and The Truth about Geese

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 sidetracked@bbc.co.ukAnd 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 ALBUMS Geese – Getting Killed

CMAT Returns to Sidetracked

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 SONGS 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 ALBUMS CMAT - Euro Country 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

Taylor Swift’s Wedding, Madonna Album Review, and a Music Master Class with James Ellis Ford

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 sidetracked@bbc.co.ukAnd 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