The North East is about to welcome back one of the most uncompromising and electrifying performers in British music. Self Esteem, the creative alter-ego of Rebecca Lucy Taylor, brings her acclaimed A Complicated Woman tour to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Wednesday 17 September, followed by O2 City Hall Newcastle on Thursday 18 September. For fans of bold, unfiltered pop, it’s shaping up to be one of the standout live moments of the year.
From Indie Beginnings to Pop Reinvention
Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s story is well known to many who have followed her career. Before becoming Self Esteem, she was one half of the Sheffield indie duo Slow Club, touring extensively and building a reputation for heartfelt songwriting. Yet it was only when she struck out on her own in 2017 that she truly found her voice.
Under the Self Esteem moniker, Taylor reshaped herself as a fearless pop innovator. Her debut Compliments Please hinted at the direction she was heading in, but it was 2021’s Prioritise Pleasure that cemented her as one of the UK’s most vital contemporary artists. With themes of empowerment, self-doubt, joy, and defiance, the record topped multiple year-end lists and earned Mercury Prize recognition.
Now, with A Complicated Woman, released earlier this year, Taylor continues to push boundaries. The album combines sleek production with searing honesty, tackling questions of identity, expectation, and the everyday pressures of life as a woman in the spotlight.
The Complicated Woman Tour
This run of UK and Ireland dates marks Self Esteem’s most ambitious tour to date. The setlists balance her latest material with fan favourites such as I Do This All The Time, Moody, and You Forever. Known for her meticulous approach to live performance, Taylor doesn’t just sing her songs — she delivers them with a theatrical, almost manifesto-like urgency.
Audiences can expect tightly choreographed routines, witty asides, and a communal atmosphere that often feels like a rally as much as a gig. Her ability to turn personal experiences into shared catharsis is what makes a Self Esteem show so powerful.
Why These North East Shows Matter
The Tyneside double-header offers fans two very different ways to experience Self Esteem.
- The Glasshouse (Gateshead) – With its internationally renowned acoustics and sweeping auditorium, Sage One will frame her music with clarity and precision. Expect a more seated, listening-focused crowd, where every lyric and layered harmony rings out.
- O2 City Hall Newcastle – A historic venue with a bigger, more raucous atmosphere. Here, the energy will likely lean into celebration, with a mix of seated and standing fans ready to sing every line back at her.
For local audiences, the chance to compare these settings on consecutive nights is rare. One night may highlight the artistry; the other, the euphoria.
The Songs That Define Her
Self Esteem’s shows are as much about message as melody. Her breakthrough single I Do This All The Time remains a centrepiece, its spoken-word verses resonating like a diary entry read aloud to thousands. Meanwhile, tracks from A Complicated Woman bring fresh layers of meaning: Big Ideas pulses with frustration and ambition, while Play Your Part highlights the emotional weight of expectation.
What unites these songs is Taylor’s refusal to water down the truth. In an industry often obsessed with image, she confronts the realities of life head-on, turning them into anthems for those who feel unheard.
What to Know Before You Go
- Dates & Venues
- Wednesday 17 September – The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead
- Thursday 18 September – O2 City Hall Newcastle
- Doors: Both venues open around 7:00pm.
- Tickets: Available through official sites including The Glasshouse and Academy Music Group, as well as See Tickets.
- Age policy: Under-14s must be accompanied by an adult.
- Transport: Metro and bus links connect Gateshead and Newcastle easily; if driving, be aware parking fills quickly near both venues on gig nights.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
For many artists, touring is simply about promoting a new record. For Self Esteem, it’s a chance to create something bigger. Her shows are immersive, cathartic, and often leave audiences buzzing long after the final encore. Whether you’ve followed her since the Slow Club days or discovered her through Prioritise Pleasure, this week’s North East dates are a chance to see an artist at her peak.
As Taylor herself has often said, her mission is to help people feel seen and understood. In a world where vulnerability is too often seen as weakness, Self Esteem makes it a source of strength — and that’s exactly what you’ll witness on stage.
Final Word
Two nights. Two iconic venues. One of the UK’s most important voices. Self Esteem’s Newcastle and Gateshead shows promise to be more than gigs; they’re set to be experiences where music, message, and community collide.
If you’re yet to secure a ticket, now’s the time. With A Complicated Woman striking such a chord this year, these performances are likely to be remembered as landmark moments in the region’s live music calendar.
