Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

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 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
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

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