More about: Self Esteem

In an overheated venue in Hackney, Self Esteem was a trooper. Taking to the stage in a suit, supported by her regular team of backing singers-slash-dancers, no amount of sweat was going to see them slacking.

Live reviews of Self Esteem’s recent gig cycle are everywhere. She’s a favourite, topping lists for every festival she’s played so far this summer. Making a real impression at Glastonbury clad in a cape paying homage to Sheffield’s best (read:worst) shopping centre; her obsessive individuality and dedication to her vision is hypnotic, every crowd gets pulled in. With vocals that steal the best bits from rock, big time pop and even moments of Adele-esque ballads, it’s a cross-genre affair with a full choreography cherry on top - an affair that is wholly and uniquely Self Esteem’s.

Immediately diving into the opening track from Prioritise Pleasure, ‘I’m Fine’ ends with a special moment. With a speech about female safety and the power of derangement, the choir of dog howls screaming out from the audience immediately cultivates a feeling that we’re all in it together. Self Esteem is a cult and in Hackney, a rare show on home turf, these are the most dedicated members. Immediately followed by the high energy empowerment of ‘Fucking Wizardry’ and the tightly choreographed ‘Prioritise Pleasure’, the place errupted into a party. Watching audience members copying every dance move, memorising the steps from the music videos, it’s like the past and future merged for a moment of 00s MTV magic soundtracked by a thoroughly modern pop star.

Pausing to get some towels to wipe off the sweat and point even more fans in their direction, the oppressive heat didn’t slow them down at all. Hitting bigger notes than ever and dancing like their life depended on it, it was a stellar display of showmanship, a lesson in how the others should be doing, a challenge to all the indie boys who could never keep up. 

Moving through tracks from her debut, perfectly interwoven with ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ tracks, you quickly realise that there are no skips. Each song feels as big as the last as the energy only builds. Boiling over during ‘How Can I Help You’, I can't even explain the release of screaming “I don't know shit” repeatedly at the top of my lungs, surrendering to the madness that comes with heat and excitement. 

Everyone knows what's coming. As we approach the end of her set (well, the end of her official set before the expected and obvious encore), you can feel everyone preparing themselves. As the opening for ‘I Do This All The Time’ starts up, it has the energy of a hymn. With the whole crowd singing every single word back, feeling every feeling as if its their own, Rebecca’s hyper-personal, spoken word piece is an unlikely anthem. But as the bridge kicks in with all its euphoric power and the whole team comes together on stage to sing “I'll take care, I'll read again, I'll sing again”, it’s a moment. Looking awash with pride like this small Hackney gig was a bit of a pinch me moment for the ensemble, it’s unsurprising as the crowd gave back the power of a whole mainstage festival field. 

After it all, following a several minute long standing ovation applaud and an encore of the forever banger ‘The Best’, there’s really only one conclusion to take away. Every review is right, every top score justified - Self Esteem is one of the best acts we’ve got at the moment. Doing something important and exciting, full of big vital messages but never for a second slipping on the fun of it all, no one does it like RLT.

See photos from Daniel Landsburgh below:

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More about: Self Esteem