Bearded (magazine)


Bearded is a British bi-monthly music magazine, covering the independent music industry, reviewing artists who are either unsigned or signed to independent record labels.

History

Bearded was founded by Gareth Main, a former editor of trade publication Golf Course News International, with the aim of providing nationwide coverage for independent artists.
The first issue of Bearded was released on 14 August 2007 with an illustration of actor and musician Matt Berry on the cover. The design of the cover was minimal, with the original Bearded logo being the only branding with no contents or other information on the front. This design continued through the first 18 months of the magazine, until Bearded relaunched on 29 January 2009, after which the logo was changed. The magazine retained its signature minimal aesthetic.

Beardaid

On 14 July 2008, Bearded announced the launch of , a charitable side to the magazine that aimed to further help people working in the independent music industry by offering exclusive records, magazines, gigs and merchandise to supporters who donated to the scheme. Beardaid then offered independent labels subsidised advertisements in Bearded to help them reach a wider audience previously unreachable due to cost.

Notable artists featured

Bearded has featured artists including Matt Berry, Animal Collective, Polyphonic Spree, Fiery Furnaces, Future of the Left, Misty's Big Adventure, Robert Wyatt, Stanley Brinks, David Shrigley, British Sea Power, Jeffrey Lewis and Adele.
Bearded has also run features on a number of record labels, including Trunk Records and Stiff Records.

Critical reaction

Following the magazine's launch, online Journalism blogger Paul Bradshaw heralded its "web-savvy business model" while Created in Birmingham's Pete Ashton commented on Bearded's "very impressive start."
Cover star Matt Berry said of the lead feature on him, "I love it, love the article and love you."

Distribution

Bearded is distributed in the UK through independent record shops, and newsagents including WHSmith and previously Borders.