Self Esteem aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor, kick off a three night residency at Manchester Academy in support of their latest album, A Complicated Woman. Support comes from Moonchild Sanelly.

MOONCHILD SANELLY

Moonlight Sanelly, who has form with Self Esteem, gets the party started. She confesses that her voice might be suffering but her ability to dance is not. Her self-styled ‘future ghetto funk’ pulsates and the crowd have her back like they have something on her!

Manchester loves to party and Moonlight Sanelly is just the tonic. Her mix of club ready songs rattle the venue and warm things up perfectly. Ashwin, her DJ, decked out in pink lycra, lays down the tracks and shares his own dance moves. The sound drops allow the crowd to holler the words back to the stage. It creates a brilliant atmosphere and Manchester laps it up. 

Big Man, her collaboration with Self Esteem, is the first big singalong of the evening. As the set draws to a close, Sanelly dances vociferously on the DJ’s mixing desk before holding up hand hearts to the crowd. A brilliant opening set; and not the last we’ll see of the super South African.

SELF ESTEEM

Three solo albums and a theatre soundtrack in, Self Esteem’s star has never shone brighter. Her voice, both literally and metaphorically, satisfies many. Three nights sold out at Manchester Academy is testament to that. The rapid transition from Gorilla, to The Albert Hall, to the Academy shows the rise Taylor has had. In 2025, A Complicated Woman went top five in the UK charts, Self Esteem pulled a humoungous crowd at Glastonbury 2025, and featured in the opening montage for the Women’s Euro 2025 Final on the BBC with the song, Focus Is Power. It’s safe to say that Self Esteem are well on the way to conquering all.

Naturally, the atmosphere and anticipation in the room is palpable. Saturday night and sold out…a heavenly match. I Do And I Don’t Care opens the show. The ensemble cast, of what is essentially a show rather than a gig, flank the stage. Taylor beams under the white light as the ‘If I’m so empowered’ harmonies mesh with the crowd in perfect unison. It is a sign of the night ahead as Manchester is amped.

I AM NOT YOUR MOTHER

Mother pulverises. The thumping beat shakes the lungs and the supporting cast eyeball the front rows maniacally as they deal individual freeform dance sequences. There is an air of possession in their body movement. It is utterly theatrical and mesmerises. Some of the lyrics are particularly biting and Taylor’s vocals are menacing.

Lies has the troupe sat in a circle around a sort of half neon maypole. With tension oozing out of the song, the feeling of a coiling spring sends a shiver up the spine.

Tension is relieved in the form of 69. It is sexually explicit and a genuinely filthy club song. Whilst having a thumping beat propelling it, at its core is still incredibly theatrical as the cast writhe and wrap themselves around each other. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Logic, Bitch! is pensive and allows for the backing singers and dancers to take a moment. They still surround the stage and add their flourishes to the piano led song.

Although the opening of Self Esteem’s show is stoic, strong and suggestive, when she breaks character and asks the crowd how they are, it comes in the Yorkshire form of ‘Y’alright?’ The response is overwhelming so early on, with her charming demeanour showcasing why she is so relatable as a person and performer.

PRIORITISE PLEASURE

Before a trip back to 2021’s breakout record, Prioritise Pleasure, every member of the band and troupe get their introduction. Fucking Wizardry gets a greeting like an old friend and Prioritise Pleasure’s pounding drums are a joy to hear. The huge chorus has the crowd screaming it back to the stage. The joy in liberation at the end of the song radiates through the smiles and dancing on stage.

‘Time for some ‘real music’ now,’ remarks Taylor before taking the acoustic guitar. ‘It’s about boozing or whatever vice helps with small talk,’ she adds before The Curse. It is a slower more poignant moment, but allows for a little respite for all in attendance. It’s a little like a half time break. Harmonies again hit hard – the strength of this ensemble is incredibly impressive.

MOONCHILD

Moonchild Sanelly reappears for In Plain Sight. Backlight is used expertly to create silhouettes of the backing dancers as Self Esteem moves forward into the light. Sanelly takes centre stage as she adds her impassioned vocals. The tribal build of the drums is wonderfully effective and helps shift the show away from the black and white aesthetic to a more technicolour experience.

Whenever an artist or band release an album that garners a lot of attention, its always a testament to those songs if they are included in future album tours. The 345 is one such song that should be present in every single Self Esteem show. Taylor’s vocal is genuinely awe inspiring and her vocal flourishes and inflections are moving. It is one of this writers favourite songs and it is pleasing to see it still in the repertoire.

CHEERS TO ME

‘Let’s have a dance!’ is the cry before the stage explodes in technicolour glory for Cheers To Me. The band are moved centre stage with the upright lights and circle band stand used as a prop for more brilliant dance routines. This is what pop music should be – full of freedom and joy. The feelgood factor is evident as the entire crowd bounces and claps along. There are wide eyed smiles everywhere and the ovation at the end is nothing short of rapturous. Née deafening. ‘That’s nice innit…fuckin’ ell!’ It is safe to say the inordinate feeling is mutual.

‘I’ll never forget tonight,’ adds Taylor. I think that sentiment will ring true for a long, long time for a lot of people. The Deep Blue Okay closes out the main set. The only word to describe it is incredible. ‘At the top is where the next hill starts,’ sings Taylor. Quite. Group hugs and more beautiful smiles emanate from the stage. Time flies during the set and like that, the band are heading off. Again, the atmosphere in the room keeps ramping up.

I DO THIS ALL THE TIME

I Do This All The Time starts a two song encore. It sees Taylor flying solo as she teases the song before the ensemble return. All the affirmations in the song are bellowed out by the crowd. It is probably Self Esteem’s signature piece. Another piece that will become a future signature is Focus Is Power. It is this that ends the show in celebratory fashion. Whilst people in attendance are there with their own people, tonight feels like one metaphorical group hug of a night. For all the shit in the world, this is a room full of love and it is a privilege to be in attendance.

For the duration of the 80 minute set, Self Esteem seem completely at ease in the messages they are sharing. The full gambit of emotions are touched on; lust, power, focus, sex, sadness, joy, apathy…but above all, love. It’s all love. This is what we need. Rebecca Lucy Taylor is a proper pop star. It is clear that her heart is deep in musical theatre too. Her ability to run the two side-by-side should be lauded. It will be interesting to see what the next chapter holds.

Check out The Deep Blue Okay live from Glastonbury 2025, below.

Self Esteem: Website / Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

Moonlight Sanelly: Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

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