Self Esteem played a sold out O2 Brixton on 10 October. Eight performers arrived on stage, dressed identically as puritans and reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale. Tension built till Self Esteem herself strode out to an elated roar from her audience. The Rotheram-born artist opened with ‘I Do And I Don’t Care’, the first track of her 2025 album A Complicated Woman. Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor, appeared proud and radiant while the 5,000 strong crowd shouted out the lyrics.
Self Esteem’s shows are an incredible spectacle to behold; the choreography and curation are impeccable. ‘What Now’ was particularly moving with dark, acapella, choir-like vocals. The singers encircled the only light on stage, facing inwards as if in ceremony. Another song saw Taylor using a banana as a phone in front of a huge projection of a banana, before slowly eating it while her trumpeter played solo. Throughout the show, Taylor gives off a tremendous energy and comparisons with Madonna and Lady Gaga are natural.
As ‘Mother’ began, the puritans danced convulsively as if they were having a collective exorcism or being raised from the dead. It’s no wonder Taylor has described her shows as “a kind of horrible church”. It feels part horror film, part Sunday sacred and particularly fitting for an October night.
Nadine Shah joined Self Esteem onstage for ‘Lies’, a track she provides backing for on A Complicated Woman. Self Esteem and her singers undressed to reveal gym kits and Self Esteem in a ‘69’ polo shirt. Taylor then changed into a black t-shirt emblazoned with “LET GAZA LIVE”. Later, Taylor revealed the tour was raising money for the refugee charity ‘Choose Love’ and the consent education charity ‘Schools Consent Project’.
Before leaving the stage for the first time, Self Esteem called out “this is our last song… we’re definitely not going to go off stage and come back on again” before laughing with the audience. Returning to the stage, Self Esteem performed ‘I Do This All The Time’, a single from Prioritise Pleasure and arguably her most well known and beloved track. Its vulnerability, confidence and empowerment are exactly why her fans love her.
I was looking forward to Moonchild Sanelly who had the first opening slot, but unfortunately the South-African musician was unable to perform due to illness. But Nadine Shah was a powerful opener, with belting vocals and huge stage presence.
Self Esteem’s UK tour continues next weekend, before moving on to Europe and Ireland. If you can, get tickets.
17 October – Brighton, UK
18 October – Sheffield, UK
2 November – Antwerpen, BE
3 November – Paris, FR
4 November – Utrecht, NL
5 November – Berlin, DE
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