Has there ever been a more remarkable career second act than Rebecca Lucy Taylor? She went from a middling (but well-loved) indie duo to an all-conquering art-pop phenomenon. Her rapid rise is clear: if you want to see her now, you’re likely too late. The tour is a sell-out. Three nights in Manchester, three in Bristol, three at Brixton Academy—gone. Your only chance is a single ticket for the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Following her 2021 breakthrough with Prioritise Pleasure, the question on everyone’s mind has been how she’s handled the ‘difficult third album’ phase. Since then, she’s expanded into light entertainment with turns on Taskmaster and Great British Bake-off, a stint in the West End’s Cabaret, and creating music for Prima Facie.
Despite her songs being predominantly about women and their experiences, her crowd is a wild mix of ages and genders: middle-aged men, older couples, young couples, and groups of all genders. It’s no shock the merch stand sells a ‘6 Music Daddy’ cap alongside the slogan t-shirts.
So, what about the show itself? The simple answer: fucking amazing. A Self Esteem gig is a full-throttle assault on the senses. It’s a mix of St. Vincent-esque choreography, Taylor’s cutting humour, and searingly honest lyrics. Her live shows are always terrific, blending tracks from A Complicated Woman and Prioritise Pleasure seamlessly. Her songs are transformed live—uncompromisingly melodic, stadium-ready yet still powerfully niche.
The show kicked off with the almost entirely spoken-word ‘I Do And I Don’t Care,’ with frantic visual support from her dancers. They moved through an onslaught of hits: the male-excoriating ‘Mother,’ the raunchy ’69,’ ‘Cheers To Me’ with its inflatable airmen, the fan-favourite ‘I Do This All The Time,’ and possibly her best song, the beautiful ‘The 345.’ The energy never let up. During ‘The Curse,’ all performers stood on stage, slowly raising their middle fingers while repeating “Fuck you, fuck you” as the song reached its crescendo.
As one of Britain’s most fearless and ferocious performers, Taylor exposes herself through both her imperious vocal solos and the brutal honesty of her songs. It’s a joyful show full of empowering moments and some of the best pop music around. Go see it. Oh…
