Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

Sabrina Carpenter has divided the internet this week with the artwork for her new album, Man’s Best Friend - but is it radical or regressive? Elsewhere, despite a famously rocky relationship with the Catholic Church and three ex-communications, it turns out that Madonna is related to the new Pope. Plus, Ticketmaster are in trouble again, Nick’s found a way to make DJ’ing easier and remembering the genius of Sly Stone and Brian Wils...

As part of our series of Glastonbury specials, Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw sit down with Emily Eavis to discuss this year's festival - from site changes and secret sets, to the cheesemongers weather forecast. Plus, what it's really like planning a festival like Glastonbury in 2025 and why the power of community is the thread that holds it all together.

Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16 WhatsApp 079700 82700 or...

Can Sidetracked ever top being endorsed by Jacob Alon’s therapist? Annie and Nick are joined by the self-described "cheeky folk" artist to talk about their debut album. Elsewhere, Nick shares what it's like to be backstage with Iggy Pop, and Annie praises Taylor Swift for reclaiming her music from Scooter Braun. Plus, Annie and Nick swap notes on the Scissor Sisters O2 gig, analyse Bono ruffling Elon Musk’s feathers, and advise on ...

Nick is joined by Alana, Danielle and Este Haim to discuss their weeks in music. HAIM are the first all-female rock band to be nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, they’ve collaborated with everyone from Taylor Swift to Stevie Nicks, and next month they’ll release their fourth studio album “I Quit”.

As they tick off their first festival of the season, the sisters look back on Glastonbury’s gone by and the lengths (...

After a legal dispute almost forced some of London’s biggest day festivals to cancel days before taking place, Annie and Nick consider the impact this could have on future urban festival planning and how spaces could be better protected for the sake of local residents. Elsewhere, as Lorde opens up in a new interview with the Rolling Stone and hints at her most truthful music yet, it prompts the question - is she at her creative pea...

It’s one of the oldest and most beautiful forms of music – but why is listening to birdsong so good for us? From the ethereal melodies of a Nightingale to the bass-heavy coos of a Pigeon, Annie and Nick break down the science behind the sounds and why we should all spend more time outdoors. Elsewhere, as the V&A announce a new exhibition showcasing London’s lost music venues, Annie and Nick unearth some lost memories of nights ...

How exactly does a song come to be? Nick and Annie are joined by iconic spoken word artist Kae Tempest to discuss his creative process and the importance of community. Elsewhere, Lady Gaga has set a new world record and André 3000 has moved on from flutes to pianos. Plus, Black Sabbath are feeling the pressure ahead of their final gig, Annie discusses the benefits of listening to music you don't like, and Nick thinks the Met Gala s...

Oscar nominated singer, songwriter and actress Cynthia Erivo has the voice of a generation. She joins Annie and Nick to talk about the art of singing, the impact it has on her body physically and physiologically, and what it was like writing her new album alongside her starring role in Wicked. Elsewhere, Beyoncé and Katy Perry have kicked off their new world tours – but have we seen it all before? Plus, the wonderful weirdness of O...

What does the response to Kneecap’s Coachella performance tell us about the current relationship between music festivals and political expression? Annie and Nick are joined by BBC Music Correspondent, Mark Savage, to decipher the fallout from the rap trio’s set. Elsewhere, from conical bras to London’s West End – Self Esteem has found a new fan in Madonna, but would you want to know if pop royalty was in the crowd before or after g...

From Lady Gaga’s masterpiece in theatrical pop to Missy Elliott dressed as a car, Nick is joined by Scissor Sister’s singer and West End star Jake Shears to discuss the highs and lows of Coachella as the desert dust settles on weekend one. Elsewhere, Elton John’s had a busy couple of weeks making up with Madonna and securing his tenth number one album – but what’s he really like to work with? Plus, Lorde has returned just in time f...

What time of day would you be and why? This week’s episode has been curated by your listener questions as Nick shares his top tips for solo gigging, Annie soundtracks the perfect Sunday morning montage and CMAT’s new album inspires a rousing list of potential song topics – from wheelie bin collections and mortgage rates to the art of mushroom foraging. Plus, the joys of Radio 3 Unwind, why Donna Summer isn’t singing about pasta and...

How important is it to make music with purpose? Annie and Nick chat about Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso teaching people what’s important at this year's 6 Music Festival. Elsewhere, AJ Tracey has decided to include smaller cities and venues on his upcoming tour and Sam (not Shawn) Mendes is set to create not one but four Beatles Biopics featuring Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan and Joseph Quinn as each band member. Plu...

Ed Sheeran is calling for more funding for music education in the UK – what are Annie and Nick’s memories of music at school? Elsewhere, Little Simz is suing Inflo over unpaid debts, and Miami has renamed streets after musicians who’ve shaped the music scene. Plus, Annie’s found the perfect album to write to, Nick’s mum is a bit confused about the 6 Music Festival Line-up, and listener gets in touch about the joy of sober gigs.

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It’s been a big week for new music with releases from HAIM, Chappell Roan and Bon Iver – but the most important takeaway, is Frank Ocean's tease for real? Elsewhere, as the post-St Patrick’s Day delirium sets in, Annie and Nick work out a plan to see Stevie Wonder on his UK tour. Plus, Sidetracked has been knocked off the top of the music podcast charts by King Charles and his love of ‘The Loco-Motion', Nick has a starring role in ...

What role should AI play in music? Recording artist and technologist Imogen Heap joins Annie and Nick to discuss how AI is currently being used in the music industry, what the future might look like and what artists can do to take back control. Elsewhere, Doechii’s star continues to rise with more new music and an onstage collaboration with Lauryn Hill. Plus, the Red Bull Culture Clash is back, Lady Gaga’s new album is better than ...

Annie and Nick are joined by James Blake to discuss the week in music. He’s a Grammy award winning singer and producer, who’s worked with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Beyoncé and last year, he walked away from his record deal to become an independent artist. After last week’s depressing look into the state of British music, does James have some solutions?

Elsewhere, inspired by Chrissie Hynde sharing her thoughts on what’s cool ...