Self Esteem AKA Rebecca Lucy Taylor today announces A Complicated Woman Live – a unique and theatrical presentation of her forthcoming new album at the intimate Duke Of York’s Theatre in London for a strictly limited and unmissable season this April.
Created by Rebecca Lucy Taylor and Tony award-winning Designer Tom Scutt, who also directs here, A Complicated Woman Live is an ambitious quasi-theatrical experience that harnesses the power and energy of a gig but presents it through a theatrical format. Fans pre-ordering the album before 10am on 3 February will be eligible for a limited pre-sale of tickets; tickets for all shows go on general sale at 10am on 5 February.
A Complicated Woman Live performance dates
Wednesday 16th April – 7.30pm
Thursday 17th April – 7.30pm
Friday 18th April – 7.30pm
Saturday 19th April – 3pm
Saturday 19th April – 7.30pm
A Complicated Woman Live credits
Created by Rebecca Lucy Taylor & Tom Scutt
Direction & Design: Tom Scutt
Choreography: Stuart Rogers
Musical Direction: Mike Park
Lighting Design: Matt Daw
Sound Design: Max & Ben Ringham
Associate Direction and Movement: Jenny Ogilvie
Associate Costume: Lucy Martin
Self Esteem will release her eagerly anticipated new album A Complicated Woman on 25 April in digital, CD, cassette and vinyl formats – including limited editions – via Polydor Records. The album is the follow up to the hugely acclaimed BRIT and Mercury Prize-nominated 2021 album Prioritise Pleasure – an album of the year everywhere from the Guardian to the Sunday Times.
Pre-order / pre-save A Complicated Woman
Described by the Guardian as “her best yet”, A Complicated Woman contains all Taylor’s musical thumbprints – complex thought processes unfolding in real time, an effortless knack of exposing the feelings women are required to labour under – but set on a larger, brighter landscape that is nothing short of exhilarating. Running through the album is a jubilant choir constructed of dozens and dozens of mostly female voices – “a community of people. I want you to hear and feel the connection” – including close friends, her band and collaborators, that includes – but is not limited to – singer-songwriters Nadine Shah, Moonchild Sanelly and Sue Tompkins from Life Without Buildings; a personal hero, the drag queen Meatball and a bona fide Lancaster legend, the actress Julie Hesmondhalgh.
A Complicated Woman is about taking control of your life, summed up in the astonishing first single ‘Focus Is Power’. Inspired by words Taylor wrote on a sticker, working from her mum and dad’s shed in the pandemic – “You see, it wasn’t up to me but now it could be / But now I see it clear with every passing of each year / I deserve to be here…” – the lyrics become an incantation when shared between the choir, something the accompanying music video (shot by long time collaborator Piers Dennis) echoes in its community hall performance.