Well, Friday 12th November 2021 was quite the night for Sheffield. Not one, but two icons returned home. Jarvis was at The Octagon whilst Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as Self Esteem was at The Leadmill, both shows had sold out!
Morly kicked things off with a gentle set of well-crafted, heartbreak slow jamz but it was when Ash Kenazi arrived on stage that Friday night vibes packed The Leadmill.
NGL, Ash wasn't the slickest drag queen I've seen but they were thoroughly entertaining, a little bit baffling but I can't give enough credit to anyone who not only braves a stage, but a mini-treadmill in mighty-high glass-bottom heels. There might have been a couple of falls but Ash continued to deliver energy. More bands should have queens as support acts, it really works.
I remember the first time I came across Rebecca, it was November 2008 at Koko, in London. Noah & The Whale were breaking through as Laura Marling had just 'made it', Rebecca stepped in for Laura's vocal parts, I had no idea who she was but I saw star quality, as soon as I got back to my scummy flat in Kentish Town I discovered she was from Sheffield, I also discovered Slow Club, who I immediately fell for. I saw them countless times over the years, from tiny shows with a small crowd to big stages, i'd always leave the gig confused way they weren't bigger, they had tunes, charisma and they were always fun live. Charles was clearly talented, but Rebecca was pop star material. I was sad when Slow Club split (the Our Most Brilliant Friends doc is a must watch) but I was super happy that Rebecca was now able to live out her pop star dream with her solo project Self Esteem. The debut album, Compliments Please was flawless but it was recently followed up by the stunning, Prioritise Pleasure, an ambitious, outspoken, confident album that took Self Esteem to a new level.
It might have only been a few months since Self Esteem last played the Steel City, headlining the Get Together Festival, but what a few months! After having time to digest Prioritise Pleasure, expectations were high and Self Esteem delivered. From I’m Fine, which also opens the album to an encore that included the intimate John Elton, before The Best closed the evening with joy, it was hard not to smile. Seeing someone shine and live out their dream in front of a crowd who couldn’t have given any more love, there was a real sense of pride.
Rebecca danced her way through the set with her girls who are more like a support bubble than backing dancers whilst the crowd sang every word back at the top of their lungs, not just the singles but the deep cuts too! Moody had the energy, In Time is the anthem whilst I Do This All The Time is simply special.
See you at The Octagon in March!
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