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

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 ALBUMS

Geese – Getting Killed