Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

It’s somehow November and the music world is already reflecting on the year we’ve had. But Annie and Nick insist on remaining in the present, in a week that saw Annie face a parenting dilemma while trying to create a lasting Stevie Wonder memory. Meanwhile, Nick looks to Rosalía for possible solutions as to how he can get his own chance to see Stevie’s show. Elsewhere, Halloween has been and gone and Christmas is already creeping in, as proved by the release of John Lewis’ Christmas advert. Sam Fender might have nailed the song, but Annie and Nick have notes for the overall plot line. Plus, Annie and Nick pay a tribute to the godfather of techno, Juan Atkins, Rosalía thanks Patti Smith, Avril Lavigne makes a comeback, and Nick’s new best friend Paul from Madra Salach has made him basically fluent in Irish.

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. SONGS Papa Roach – Last Resort Tinashe – Sunglasses Rosalía – Magnolias Rosalía – Reliquia Rosalía – Berghain Fontaines D.C. ft. Rosalía – Where Is Gone? Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar Dolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors Dolly Parton – She Never Met a Man (She Didn't Like) Dolly Parton – Traveling Man Dolly Parton – Early Morning Breeze Dolly Parton – Here I Am The Beatles – Blackbird The Beatles – Let It Be The Beatles – Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Dolly Parton – The Mystery of the Mystery Dolly Parton – A Better Place to Live ALBUMS Dolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors Tinashe – Popstar Cameron Winter – Live at Carnegie Hall Erykah Badu – The Alchemist Beck – Ride Lonesome A$AP Rocky – Long. Live. A$AP Rosalía – LUX Fontaines D.C. – Dopamine Chamber Radiohead – OK Computer

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] 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 ALBUMS 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] 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] 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] don’t forget you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram.SONGSSILVERWINGKILLER - WORLDSTARThe War on Drugs - Who's ThatShygirl - AlyseShygirl - LuckyMadonna - Like a Prayer Los del Río - MacarenaMacklemore - HIND'S HALLALBUMS beabadoobee - pylonShygirl - SwallowFloating 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