Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

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 sidetracked@bbc.co.uk
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!!

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 sidetracked@bbc.co.uk
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

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

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 sidetracked@bbc.co.uk
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