Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

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

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

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

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