Self Esteem - Cardiff Castle - 24th July 2026

One of the defining voices in British music

Story by Tony Cunningham

26/07/2026

Few artists capture modern womanhood with the same fearless honesty as Self Esteem, and at Cardiff Castle, Rebecca Lucy Taylor proved exactly why she has become one of the defining voices in British music.

Headlining Depot Live, the Ivor Novello-winning singer-songwriter brought her acclaimed new live show to the Welsh capital as part of a run celebrating her third album, A Complicated Woman. Framed by the historic castle walls, the performance balanced towering pop hooks with the vulnerability, wit and unfiltered emotion that have become her trademark. Since reinventing herself as Self Esteem, Taylor has carved out a space entirely of her own, blending razor-sharp lyricism with theatrical ambition and empowering anthems. That confidence radiated throughout the evening as she delivered a set that showcased the emotional depth and bold production of A Complicated Woman, reaffirming her reputation as one of the UK's most compelling live performers. The atmosphere inside the sold-out venue reflected just how far her ascent has come. Fans sang every word back with unwavering conviction, creating moments that felt as communal as they were cathartic. Equal parts pop spectacle and emotional release, the performance demonstrated why Self Esteem's music resonates so powerfully with audiences searching for honesty amid polished perfection. Support came from the ever-inventive Kae Tempest, whose thought-provoking performance blurred the boundaries between spoken word, poetry and hip-hop with characteristic intensity. Few artists command silence quite like Tempest, and their set provided a powerful counterpoint to the evening's headline performance. Earlier, spoken-word artist Joshua Idehen opened proceedings with a captivating performance that set the tone for a night celebrating fearless creativity and individuality. As Depot Live at Cardiff Castle continues to attract some of the biggest and most adventurous names in contemporary music, Self Esteem's headline appearance stood out as another reminder that British pop is at its strongest when it's prepared to be vulnerable, ambitious and unapologetically authentic.