Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

The nominees for the BRIT Awards 2026 have been revealed and, in their signature chaotic fashion, Annie and Nick analyse the lists of names and ask: will Olivia Dean and Lola Young reign supreme? Could any moment rival Jarvis Cocker mooning Michael Jackson in 1996? And will Harry Styles perform his new music at the ceremony? Plus, Sidetracked favourite Jacob Alon has won the Critics’ Choice Award – and Annie and Nick have big feelings about it.
Elsewhere, the Japanese PM has gone viral for her heavy metal drumming – should more world leaders use music in meetings with their peers? And Mitski is back with a brilliant new single; Lily Allen has shared the best response to Brooklyn Beckham’s explosive Instagram Stories statement, and Nick isn’t sure about Heated Rivalry.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16, WhatsApp on 07970082700 or email [email protected]
Full details of BRIT Awards 2026 Nominations: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgjwnx70pjwo/
HOMEWORK:
Listen to new music from Mitski, Jessie Ware, James Blake, KAVARI, and A$AP Rocky.
SONGS
Mitski – Where's My Phone?
KAVARI – IRON VEINS
The Roots – You Got Me
James Blake – Death of Love
Lola Young – Messy
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity
Gracie Abrams – That's So True
Disco Lines and Tinashe – No Broke Boys
Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
ALBUMS
A$AP Rocky – Don't Be Dumb
Jill Scott – To Whom This May Concern
Harry Styles – Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally
Lily Allen – West End Girl
Geese – Getting Killed
Jacob Alon – In Limerence

Harry Styles is teasing something new, with posters showing up in cities all over the world – but what does it all mean? Annie and Nick dissect the role Harry’s fan community is playing in the cryptic campaign. Elsewhere, Robyn has revealed her purpose in life and it’s a strong one, A$AP Rocky is braggadocious in the best ways, and in an unlikely twist, Annie has found herself drawn to a Bruno Mars song. Plus, Annie and Nick celebrate a big change for Sidetracked.

Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16, WhatsApp on 07970082700 or email [email protected]

HOMEWORK
Watch the following music videos: Talk To Me by Robyn; I Just Might by Bruno Mars, and Helicopter by A$AP Rocky.

SONGS
Wesley Joseph & Danny Brown – Peace Of Mind
A$AP Rocky – Helicopter
A$AP Rocky – Punk Rocky
Robyn – Talk To Me
Robyn – Sexistential
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga – Die With A Smile
Bruno Mars & Sexyy Red – Fat Juicy & Wet
Bruno Mars & Rosé - APT
Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
HUNTR/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami – Golden

ALBUMS
SAULT – Chapter 1
Wesley Joseph - Forever Ends Someday
Robyn - Sexistential
Harry Styles – Harry's House
George Michael – Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Talking Heads - 77
Television - Marquee Moon
The Saints - I'm Stranded
David Bowie - Let's Dance

In the first week of 2026, Annie and Nick have different thoughts about the new A$AP Rocky single, Gen Z are discovering Prince thanks to Stranger Things, and EsDeeKid has told The Chainsmokers exactly what he thinks of their 4 Raws remix. Elsewhere, Stormzy has used social media to express his thoughts about...social media and revealed how he's grown as an artist and as a person. Plus, Jill Scott is finally back with new music, vinyl is expensive, and Annie and Nick get sidetracked by hedgehogs.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16 WhatsApp 079700 82700 or email [email protected]
HOMEWORK: Watch Prince performing “Purple Rain” at 2007’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, and listen to Mandy, Indiana’s “Cursive”
SONGS
FAUZIA – The Way
Mandy, Indiana – URGH
Mandy, Indiana – Magazine
Mandy, Indiana – Cursive
A$AP Rocky – Punk Rocky
JADE – Angel of My Dreams
Jill Scott – Beautiful People
Jill Scott - Exclusively
Prince – Purple Rain
Prince – When Doves Cry
Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
America - A Horse With No Name
EsDeeKid, Timothée Chalamet - 4 Raws
Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
ALBUMS
A$AP Rocky – Don't Be Dumb
Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern,
Jill Scott - Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1
Bob Marley and the Wailers – Exodus
Arctic Monkeys – AM
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra – Promises
FKA twigs – Eusexua

What does 2026 have in store for the music industry? Annie and Nick look ahead to expected releases, rumoured returning artists, and an exciting list of confirmed festival line ups. Plus, BBC Music Correspondent Mark Savage joins them to share his expert predictions about which artists to look out for this year, and what music trends we can expect.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16 WhatsApp 079700 82700 or email [email protected]

Annie and Nick review the standout moments from the past 12 months. From the Oasis tour to Lily Allen’s culture shifting album release, 2025 has been a major year for UK artists, and who could forget the impact of moments such as: an awkward secret being revealed at a Coldplay concert, Katy Perry going to space, and CMAT playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage for the first time. Plus, Annie and Nick attempt the impossible task of choosing just one album and song of the year each.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! If you’re over 16 WhatsApp 079700 82700 or email [email protected]

SONGS
Taylor Swift – So High School
PinkPantheress – Illegal
HAIM – Relationships
Lola Young – Messy
Cameron Winter - Nausicaä (Love Will Be Revealed)
ELIZA – Anyone Else
Ave Maria
Jacon Alon – Liquid Gold 25
CMAT – The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station
Blood Orange - Mind Loaded

ALBUMS
Patti Smith – Horses
Björk – Cornucopia
Mavis Staples – Sad and Beautiful World
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl
Charli XCX – brat
Lily Allen – West End Girl
Rosalía - LUX
CMAT – Euro-Country
Cameron Winter – Heavy Metal
Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp
Blood Orange – Essex Honey
Geese – Getting Killed
Chronixx - Exile