Music college to open in iconic former nightclub

A fast growing music school is coming to Sheffield and will be based in the former Gatecrasher nightclub building.

WaterBear first opened its doors in Brighton in September 2018 after being founded by music education pioneers Adam Bushell and Bruce John Dickinson.

Sheffield is to be its first college location in the north of England and first academic year will start in September 2023.

“Thanks to our remarkable students — who forever champion us — our unrivalled reputation for specialist music education quickly spread beyond our Brighton borders, and we started attracting attention from talent across the country,”said Bushell.

“The national recognition of our education philosophy is encouraging, because opening a college in the north was always in our sights, after all, the north itself is somewhat unrivalled in its music talent and industry output,” added Dickinson.

“No one is prouder and more aware of this location’s legacy than I. Gatecrasher is not only a global icon, but to many, it’s a Sheffield treasure,” Bushell said. “Through our rich program of music BA (Hons) Degrees and MA courses, we hope to channel the creative spirit that Gatecrasher pioneered and infuse it with our own educational dynamism.”