Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

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 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
Feeder - Buck Rogers
Olive - You're Not Alone
Justin Bieber – Boyfriend
John Lennon – Imagine
Beyoncé - Deja Vu

ALBUMS
Geese – Getting Killed

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

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