
Advertise on podcast: Sidetracked with Annie and Nick
Rating
4.8from
This podcast has
177 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
BBC SoundsExplicit
No
Date created
2023/09/20
Latest episode
2026/10/29
Average duration
46 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
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.
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Check latest episodes from Sidetracked with Annie and Nick podcast
Harry Styles’ Favourite Biscuit, Drake’s Fashion Choices and the Return of Glee
2026/10/29
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.
Nick’s Céline Dion Experience, Cardi B’s Tiny Desk and Mercury Prize Predictions
2026/10/22
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)
Rosalía and Fontaines D.C., Dolly Parton’s Lessons for Life and When Harry Met Thom
2026/10/15
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
Glastonbury Tickets, Celebrity Traitors and Tinashe Gets Her Flowers
2026/10/08
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]
And 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
Noel Gallagher on Man City, Madonna at the VMAS and Taylor Swift’s Bad Reviews
2026/10/01
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]
And 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
The Power of Céline Dion, Ed Sheeran’s Response and a Spice Girls Biopic
2026/09/24
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!!
The Ed Sheeran Backlash, Oasis Are Happy and Cryptic Emails from Harry Styles
2026/09/17
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
Oasis Mania, Stevie Wonder Breaking News and Miley's Just Being Miley
2026/09/10
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 on Dolly Parton, the Drake Effect and RAYE at Reading
2026/09/03
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
Nepo Babies, Madonna's VMA Domination & Charli XCX Saves Nick
2026/08/27
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
Shygirl on: Working with Madonna, Influencing Fontaines and Troye Sivan’s Aesthetic
2026/08/20
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
A Mid-Year Review of 2026 in Music
2026/08/13
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
Nia Archives on: Lollapalooza, Grace Jones’ Rider, and Japanese Convenience Stores
2026/08/06
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
2026 Mercury Prize Shortlist with Knats
2026/07/30
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
Coming Soon... 2026 Mercury Prize Shortlist
2026/07/30
This week’s episode will be dropping later than usual as Nick - and some very special guests - await the much-anticipated Mercury Prize Shortlist.
Podcast reviews
Read Sidetracked with Annie and Nick podcast reviews
hleah 2026/10/02
Taylor talk
Every artist has their video on streamers first then YouTube b/c of the view counts yet only Taylor is criticized. She loved the album and so did the ...
riribex 2024/12/27
Robert Smith’s first podcast!
Brilliant yet casual convo with the coolest musician of all time, nbd. Very inspiring, humble & full of integrity.
KT555yyy 2024/07/12
Obsessed
Every time I listed to these two I feel like I’m spending time with friends. Laugh & cringe in equal measure. My favorite 30 minutes of the week. Than...
Listening🎆 2024/03/28
Great Show!
Great Show! Love Annie & Nick
Elle#NYC 2023/11/28
My Favourite Podcast
Love them both individually but together they are so warm and entertaining that it feels like a good hang with two of your funniest and favourite frie...
supsheppy 2023/10/05
🔥🔥🔥
Amazing. I have a new favorite podcast. Brings me back to the 2010-era of Radio 1. Thank you Annie & Nick. You’re the best 💕💕
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