Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

BBC Sounds
  • 5.0 (34)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated weekly

For music and pop culture lovers looking for an authentic and light-hearted take on the week in music... with broadcasters and music fanatics Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw.

  1. 5 days ago

    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

  2. 9 Jul

    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.uk And 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

  3. 2 Jul

    Bad Bunny’s Life Affirming Show, Charli XCX’s Lies, and Nappies at Gigs

    Bad Bunny came to London and Nick may never be the same again. What is it about Benito that makes his music and live performances so impactful? Nick tells Annie why the show made him cry – and confesses to one embarrassing detail. Elsewhere, Charli XCX came on the 6 Music Breakfast Show and Sidetracked investigates whether she told a big fat lie. Plus, why is Noah Kahan talking about poo at gigs? This - on top of Olivia Rodrigo’s previous comments about people wearing nappies to her shows - prompts Annie and Nick to give a stern talking-to to front row fans. Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email sidetracked@bbc.co.uk And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram. SONGS Luther Vandross - Never Too Much Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song Charli XCX – Wink Wink Madonna - Hollywood Noah Kahan - Stick Season Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor Fugees – Ready or Not Daft Punk - Voyager PJ Harvey - Voyager earthsignchels - Daddy Died [we recommend you watch the video] Robyn – Call Your Girlfriend ALBUMS Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film Bad Bunny - DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS Alewya - Zero Beth Orton – The Ground Above

  4. 25 Jun

    New Adele Album Anticipation, World Cup Analysis, and Madonna’s Survival

    Annie and Nick discuss rumours of Adele returning to music, after she was seen attending one of Lola Young’s London shows. What might a new Adele album sound like? And what is it about her that means any record is guaranteed to be brilliant? Elsewhere, Madonna has revealed why the planned biopic of her life was canned, James Blake has called out the growing fakery of the music industry, and Bad Bunny is coming to London. Plus, why can’t Annie and Nick remember if they’ve met Solange? Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email sidetracked@bbc.co.uk And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram SONGS Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water Adele - Hometown Glory Adele – Daydreamer SZA - Saturn Cher - Believe ALBUMS Madonna - Veronica Electronica Madonna – Confessions II Adele - 19 Olivia Rodrigo - Guts

  5. 18 Jun

    Olivia Rodrigo, Concern for Harry Styles, and Should We Give in to the AI Takeover?

    Annie and Nick dissect Olivia Rodrigo’s new album and analyse the online theories that Taylor Swift might be jealous. What is it about Olivia that speaks to such a vast and diverse audience? And what does she have to do with the England football team? Elsewhere, Annie has conflicting feelings about embracing AI; it’s never been easier to make music with it but at what cost? And Phoebe Bridgers is planning for her next tour to be a phones free experience – does the backlash that ensued prove how problematic our relationships to our phones are? And why Nick thinks the UK government should extend the social media ban to all under-45s. Plus, Nick’s mum is worried about Harry Styles, a Primavera round up, and Jeff Goldblum weighs in on the bird song debate. Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email sidetracked@bbc.co.uk And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio. SONGS Olivia Rodrigo & Robert Smith – what's wrong with me Olivia Rodrigo – vampire Madonna – Ray of Light Madonna – Don’t Tell Me Madonna - Music ALBUMS Olivia Rodrigo – you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement Madonna – Confessions II Madonna – Ray of Light Madonna – Music Jeff Goldblum – Night Blooms

  6. 11 Jun

    The xx, Shyness is Nice, and the Sugababes Strategy

    For this instalment of the Sidetracked Album Club, Annie and Nick venture back to 2009 and revisit the debut album from the xx. Why did this record stand out so much at the time, and does it hold up 17 years later? And why did the band make Annie and Nick so nervous? Plus, how the BBC handled the death of Michael Jackson, La Roux nostalgia, and one listener grapples with cringe GCSE Drama memories. And what if the Rolling Stones had been managed like the Sugababes were in the noughties? Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email sidetracked@bbc.co.uk And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio. SONGS The xx - Crystallised The xx - Intro The xx - Infinity Paolo Nutini - New Shoes Lady Gaga - Poker Face Beyoncé - Single Ladies ALBUMS The xx – xx Michael Jackson – The Collection Beyoncé - I Am... Sasha Fierce Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D. Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses Florence + The Machine - Lungs La Roux - La Roux Lady Gaga - The Fame Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum LCD Soundsystem – LCD Soundsystem

  7. 4 Jun

    horsegiirL is the Mane Event, CMAT is Gorgeous, and Martin Scorcese’s Moment

    Annie and Nick welcome one of their dream guests to the studio to talk all things nature and music. horsegiirL is the world’s first half horse, half human singer-songwriter, DJ, and producer, and she’s about to release her debut album. In this episode, she gets sidetracked by birdsong, mushrooms...and birth stories. Elsewhere, Annie and Nick need to discuss CMAT speaking out about horrible online trolls, and why she truly is a gorgeous genius. And Charli XCX has revealed the details and artwork for her new album but how did she book Martin Scorsese? Plus, electrolytes for trees, Jane McDonald, and Arsenal. Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email sidetracked@bbc.co.uk And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio. SONGS Charli XCX - SS26 Charli XCX - Vroom Vroom Charli XCX - Rock Music CMAT - Take a Sexy Picture of Me Whitney Houston - Queen of the Night horsegiirL - rivers run free horsegiirL - an apple a day horsegiirL - nature is healing ALBUMS Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film Charli XCX - brat horsegiirL - NATURE IS HEALING The xx - xx

  8. 28 May

    iPod Nostalgia, the Truth about Music Streaming, and Dido's Cultural Relevance

    Annie and Nick try their very best not to get sidetracked, as they focus on just one topic - streaming, and how it’s shaped the musical landscape in 2026. From iPod mania to agentic AI, the world of music has changed a lot since the early 2000s. Have these changes made things better or worse for artists and music fans? And what does the future have in store for streaming and music consumption? With special thanks to our contributors: The Guardian’s Deputy Music Editor, Laura Snapes; and The New York Times critic, Jon Caramanica, and New York Times culture reporter, Joe Coscarelli. Jon and Joe host the NYT’s Popcast, which you can find wherever you get your podcasts. And thanks to The Grove, whose self-titled EP is out now. Their most recent single is Amongst the Noise. SONGS Dido – White Flag Dido – Thank You Rosalía - Divinize Frankie Valli – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You ALBUMS Dido – Life for Rent Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving

See All (161)

Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

For music and pop culture lovers looking for an authentic and light-hearted take on the week in music... with broadcasters and music fanatics Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw.

Information

You Might Also Like