Pop powerhouse and Mercury Prize nominee Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA, Self Esteem, is turning her pen to prose this autumn as she steps into the role of curator at this year’s London Literature Festival, held at the Southbank Centre from 21 October to 2 November.
The ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ singer will be taking over a full day of the programme on Saturday 1 November, celebrating the release of her debut book A Complicated Woman with a headline event in conversation with author and fellow funny, complicated woman Dolly Alderton. The day will also feature a night of live music, poetry, and spoken word performances from an eclectic line-up of artists and performers close to Taylor’s heart — including Tom Rasmussen, Travis Alabanza, Seraphina Simone, Pam Ayres, and more still to be announced. Expect sharp takes, emotional gut-punches, and the kind of creative cross-pollination that Taylor thrives on. Some events across the day will be free to attend.
“I’m honoured to be curating at this year’s London Literature Festival. I’ve never really believed there to be rigid lines between songwriting, art, poetry and prose. I’ve always longed to be free from genre and labels, not just in my own work, but also in the art I’m drawn to.’ says Taylor. “I want it all because I am greedy, and I’m no longer going to apologise for that. I am so excited to explore this through my involvement with the London Literature Festival, alongside a host of multidisciplinary artists I admire and am inspired by.”
Now in its eighteenth year, the London Literature Festival is a mainstay of the UK’s cultural calendar, and this edition boasts a stacked line-up of international writers and homegrown legends. Highlights include appearances from Zadie Smith, Chris Kraus, Sayaka Murata, Olga Ravn, Claire-Louise Bennett, Jackie Kay, Sebastian Faulks, and Malala Yousafzai, as well as a rare UK event from Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben, who’ll launch their new thriller Gone Before Goodbye.
The festival will also spotlight emerging talent, including a dedicated Debut London Literature panel (26 Oct) featuring Funmi Fetto, Lisa Smith, Róisín Lanigan, and more. Poetry lovers can flock to the National Poetry Library’s takeover on 25 October, with readings from Simon Armitage, Rachael Boast, Michael Rosen, and Out-Spoken regulars.
With her trademark wit, emotional honesty and knack for rallying a crowd, Self Esteem’s turn as curator looks set to blur the lines between gig, reading and group therapy — in the best possible way.
For the full line-up and ticket info, head to southbankcentre.co.uk.
