DJ AG Livestreams Sheffield Artists with WaterBear Scholarship Launch
Official Launch DJ AG Scholarship 2026
On Friday 6 March 2026, we joined DJ AG on the steps of Sheffield Town Hall as the space transformed into a stage for the city’s diverse and vibrant music scene. The live-streamed street session marked the official launch the WaterBear X DJ AG Scholarship Award 2026 at our WaterBear Sheffield campus.
The event brought together emerging artists, WaterBear students and alumni, acclaimed local performers, and even the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, celebrating grassroots music while opening doors for the next generation of artists.
The event drew over 500 attendees in Sheffield and was also livestreamed to DJ AG’s @djagonline channel of 1.8 million TikTok followers. Within just three days, the artist performances on Tik Tok alone received over 1 million views and 50,000 likes, showing the incredible reach of this city-centre event.
WaterBear X DJ AG Scholarship Award 2026
WaterBear has teamed up with DJ AG to offer this BA (Hons) scholarship award for 2026. The award is open to new students applying to study our 3-year on-site BA (Hons) Professional Music degrees in either Performance, Production, Electronic Music, Business or Songwriting at our Sheffield campus.
Celebrating Sheffield’s Artists
The launch showcased the breadth and diversity of Sheffield’s music scene, blending established artists with Sheffield’s next-generation artists. Performances included DJ AG hosting the livestream and performing live sets, Reverend and the Makers – John McClure and Claire McClure, supported by Steve Bracknell of Royal Oak FC, Steve Edwards performing an extended version of “World, Hold On” with an additional verse from our student MC Forca, ADMT, Junglist Alliance featuring guest MC Top Cat, Sheffield All Stars, Slambarz, Nbposted, AJ, Coco, K-Dot, Aziza Jaye, and Lavelle.
Several local artists earned their performance slots through a public vote on Instagram, including Kayefi Oosha, Caide and Nathaniel Short. WaterBear artists and alumni also took to the stage, including SHUGACOMA, Niall Butchart, Milly Pye, Heights, Beanie, DN0 / Lewis Russell, MC Forca, The Tivolis, and Niamh & The High Fives.
The evening also featured special appearances by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Safiya Saeed, celebrating the city’s music community and supporting the scholarship launch.
We caught up with John McClure of Reverend and the Makers during the event:
“I love the diversity of the Sheffield music scene. There are so many different styles and it’s one of the few cities where you can have artists like Bring Me The Horizon, Arctic Monkeys, Self Esteem, Coco and Steve Edwards all existing in the same place. There’s a lot of amazing music happening right now in Sheffield.
I’ve played all kinds of gigs, from Wembley Stadium down to a terrace house, so I’ll play anywhere. I’ve played with AG before when he first started blowing up and he’s a great fella. I’m happy to support WaterBear because they’re educating the next generation of Sheffield musical talent, so long may that continue.”
About DJ AG
We are thrilled to partner with DJ AG, one of the UK’s most visible champions of grassroots music talent. Known for his open street livestream sessions, DJ AG has given countless emerging artists the chance to perform in front of live audiences and millions online. His platform has seen global names like Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Skepta, JME, and Will Smith share the stage with first-time performers, proving the power of combining spontaneous live performance with digital reach.
For us, DJ AG’s ethos aligns perfectly with our mission: creating real opportunities for emerging artists, connecting them with audiences, and supporting their journey through both performance and education. His involvement in the scholarship launch demonstrates the kind of community-driven, artist-focused approach we champion at WaterBear.
DJ AG reflected on the scholarship’s impact:
“I’ve seen first-hand what happens when the right artist hits the right moment — everything can shift. That’s the energy behind the livestreams. It’s about creating that opportunity in real time, and that’s exactly why this scholarship matters. We’re opening the door for someone who’s ready now, giving them the tools, the guidance, and the real opportunities to take their music to the next level.
I want to give a huge shout out to WaterBear for making this happen and supporting Sheffield. It’s so important to reach outside of London and give as many opportunities as possible. Giving back to communities is everything to me. Music is a huge passion for me, my family, and for so many people across the UK and beyond. So what better way to bless one lucky person with £30,000 worth of support for a completely free course? Make sure to apply, follow the rules, and I look forward to meeting the person who wins.”
The DJ AG Scholarship: Supporting Local Artists
The DJ AG Scholarship at our Sheffield campus is a fully funded BA (Hons) Professional Music degree, covering tuition and mentoring support for one exceptional emerging artist. The award is open across multiple pathways: performance, production, electronic music, songwriting, and music business.
“There is an extraordinary amount of young talent coming through cities like Sheffield. But talent needs places to grow and people who believe in it,” said Eve Massaad, our Chief Marketing Officer.
“This scholarship is about recognising that potential and making sure the next generation of artists have both the education and the industry support they need. Working with DJ AG felt like a natural partnership because he has spent years creating opportunities for artists to step forward and be heard.”
We would also like to give a big thank you to Sheffield City Council for their support in making the event possible, helping us bring this live performance and scholarship launch to the heart of the city.
Applications for the DJ AG scholarship open 1 April 2026 and close 30 June 2026
We caught up with the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Safiya Saeed and she commented:
“I just want to thank DJ AG for coming to our city for the second time. The message he is sharing, investing in a scholarship and providing music education to someone who might be struggling, is exactly what inspired me to come out and support the event, especially here at the Town Hall, just outside my house!
“If you are passionate about something, find a community that will support you and a mentor to guide you. The investments will come later. Invest your time and energy, and whatever makes you smile, continue to pursue it with passion.”
Bringing Education into the Community
Earlier in the day, DJ AG joined us at Sheffield Park Academy, running workshops that gave students the chance to perform, ask questions, and learn directly from industry professionals. There is an extraordinary amount of young talent at Sheffield Park Academy, and we are so thankful to the school for opening their doors. Opportunities like this give students the chance to grow, share their music, and have it heard. Talent thrives when it is nurtured and supported. These workshops reflect our mission to connect education with real-world opportunity, inspiring the next generation of Sheffield musicians.
Keeping Music Live in Sheffield
The DJ AG Scholarship is part of our broader commitment to supporting local artists and the city’s music infrastructure. Earlier this year, we announced the reopening of The Green Room as The WaterBear Green Room, preserving a key venue for Sheffield’s independent music scene.
Alongside initiatives like our Keeping Music Live campaign in partnership with the Music Venue Trust, the DJ AG Scholarship demonstrates our holistic approach: supporting artists, education, and the venues that make live music possible.