Rosalía Gig Review(s), Shakira in Rio, and Having Faith in Madonna

It’s the moment they’ve been waiting for since November 2025: Rosalía bringing LUX to London’s O2 Arena. Annie and Nick report back on what might be the best live show they’ve ever experienced. Elsewhere, Madonna’s released a new single with Sabrina Carpenter and it hasn’t totally lived up to their expectations of Confessions II; but will everything make sense when the album comes out? Plus, the Pussycat Dolls have cancelled their North American tour dates and instead of making up an excuse, they’ve chosen honesty – should more artists take note?

Also discussed in the episode: Kid Cudi has fired M.I.A from his tour after fans’ complaints, Zara Larsson is having a moment, and Annie and Nick reminisce about their chat with Rod Stewart after Shakira’s concert on Copacabana Beach.

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HOMEWORK: Listen to the end of this episode to find out the next pick for the Sidetracked Album Club.

SONGS

Shy One and George Riley – I Can Tell

TYSON – CHAOS

Rosalía – Magnolia

Rosalía - Mio Cristo

Pigeon – Miami

Pigeon – Black James Dean

Genesis Owusu – Life Keeps Going

Genesis Owusu – Stampede

Tara Clerkin Trio – Somewhere Good

Nia Archives – Boys in Blue

GENER8ION – STORM

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love

Madonna – Hung Up

Madonna and Britney Spears – Me Against the Music

The Pussycat Dolls – Club Song

The Pussycat Dolls – Don’t Cha

M.I.A. – Illygal

ALBUMS

Rosalía – Motomami

Rosalía – Lux

Shy One – Mali

Pigeon – OUTTANATIONAL

Robyn – Sexistential

Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun: Girls Trip

Madonna – Confessions on a Dance Floor

Madonna – Ray of Light

Madonna – Confessions II

LCD Soundsystem – LCD Soundsystem

Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist

PJ Harvey – Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea

CMAT – If My Wife New I’d Be Dead

Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

Jeff Buckley – Grace

Frank Ocean – Blonde

The Strokes – Is This It

Sinéad O’Connor – The Lion and the Cobra

Laura Marling – Once I Was an Eagle

Various Artists – Mamma Mia! (The Movie Soundtrack)

The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come for Free

The xx – xx