A music charity based in Sheffield is hoping to reach more people after joining in on Ed Sheeran’s surprise performance last week.
Ed Sheeran shocked Sheffield on 18 May 2025 at Town Hall where he was part of TikTok sensation DJ AG’s pop up and performed with local young artists for thousands of people.
Many artists were from TRACKS, a charity which focuses on providing music education and mentoring to young people through workshops, youth clubs, open mics, gig opportunities and more.
Philippe Clegg, music facilitator at TRACKS, said: “You can’t buy the kind of exposure that we’ve had as a result of the performance, helping us grow the organization and reach more young people across the city.”
@djagonline @k4sterz 🔥🔥🔥🔥#djagonline #teamag #ukdj #deejay #djlife #music @tracks_uk ♬ original sound – DJ AG ONLINE🎧✌🏾🇬🇧
The gig was organised by the Ed Sheeran Foundation in collaboration with rapper JME and DJ AG to show their support for grassroots music organisations and they chose to shine a light on the Foundation-funded TRACKS and their work.
TRACKS has been working with the Ed Sheeran Foundation for months to support the charity in reaching more children.
Theo Clithero, 15, who performed with Sheeran on the day, said: “As the crowd got bigger and bigger, I was panicking, but immediately when I got into the circle, I just felt comfort even though I was scared looking at it from a distance.
“Ed talked to me like we’ve been mates for our whole lives! I’m so happy, I can now sleep knowing that I have performed with Ed Sheeran and JME.”
Ed Sheeran first visited TRACKS in May 2024 and met many of the talented artists who performed with him recently.
That meeting set the stage for the charity to receive funding from the Ed Sheeran Foundation for three years for specific projects to do with music education for young people in Sheffield.
TRACKS has helped young artists gain invaluable experience over the years through performances at Tramlines Fringe, The Leadmill, Yellow Arch and many other events and venues.
Mr Clegg said: “I hope it [seeing TRACKS’ artists perform with Ed Sheeran] gives young people a sense of empowerment, gets them to come join us and give it a go.”
The artists will be performing at Sheffield Food Festival this weekend. More information can be found here.