Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

In a truly classic episode of Sidetracked, Annie and Nick leave no music-stone unturned – from Nick miraculously making it to see Stevie Wonder, to David Byrne’s expertise in Roman concrete, some heavy pre-gig reading material from Basement Jaxx, mysterious Madonna confessions, and more Muse-ings on who won’t be headlining Glastonbury.
Plus Bob Dylan prompts important questions: does the Pope have a record player?
With Christmas on the horizon, Elton and CMAT are jumping out of the gates with a festive classic while Olivia Rodrigo divides opinion with her first ever Christmas song. It does, however, bring up memories of meeting the in-laws, with Annie recounting a ‘mortifying’ story and Nick experiencing an unexpected parenting role reversal.
BOOKS
Luke Kennard - Black Bag
Leo Toylstoy - Anna Kerenina
David Byrne - Sleeping Beauties
ALBUMS
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
Shygirl - Swallow!
Skepta - Ignorance is Bliss
Skepta - The Fork and Knife
SONGS
Skepta - Love Me Not
Skepta - Bullet from a Gun
Skepta - Grease Mode
Skepta feat. Suggs - Innocent Smile
Novelist feat. Skepta - Diamonds Dancing
Basement Jaxx - Jump n’ Shout
Shygirl - Alyse
Shygirl - Altar
Shygirl - Lucky (Hymn)
Bob Dylan - Go Away You Bomb
Elton John and CMAT - Step Into Christmas
Olivia Rodrigo - take me home (4 christmas)
The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
Robbie Williams - Candy

It’s somehow November and the music world is already reflecting on the year we’ve had. But Annie and Nick insist on remaining in the present, in a week that saw Annie face a parenting dilemma while trying to create a lasting Stevie Wonder memory. Meanwhile, Nick looks to Rosalía for possible solutions as to how he can get his own chance to see Stevie’s show.
Elsewhere, Halloween has been and gone and Christmas is already creeping in, as proved by the release of John Lewis’ Christmas advert. Sam Fender might have nailed the song, but Annie and Nick have notes for the overall plot line.
Plus, Annie and Nick pay a tribute to the godfather of techno, Juan Atkins, Rosalía thanks Patti Smith, Avril Lavigne makes a comeback, and Nick’s new best friend Paul from Madra Salach has made him basically fluent in Irish.

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.

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)

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 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
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