Sandman (magazine)

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Sandman is a free music magazine originating in Sheffield, UK. It is published in Leeds, Kingston upon Hull, York and Nottingham.

The first issue was launched on September 27, 2002 by Jan Webster (Editor in Chief) and Mark Roberts (Publisher). Webster and Roberts had both been involved with the local music scene as performers and promoters. Jon Enoch (now freelance for The Times, Telegraph and Independent) acted as picture editor following setup. The Leeds edition launched on 30th September 2003, Hull on 15th March 2004, York on 15th October 2004 and Nottingham on 4th April 2005. From February 2006, these editions were merged into a single, large regional magazine. Jan Webster left the magazine at the end of 2006 and the current editors are Mark Roberts (Sheffield/Manchester/Editor-in-Chief), Tom Goodhand (Leeds) and Hanna Houghton and Mike Reynolds who co-edit the Hull section.

Sandman's aims are to cover and support the local music scenes of the cities in which it is published. It features interviews, live reviews (including those of national and international level bands) and album and demo reviews. It also has sections on nightlife, eating out and culture.

Volunteers contribute Sandman’s articles, the revenue being made from advertising charges and subscription fees. Sandman doesn't accept advertorials and aims simply to be independent and honest. It is distributed in record and instrument shops as well as venues, clubs and pubs.

The readership is currently thought to be around 40,000 across Yorkshire and the East Midlands

A number of now nationally famous acts have been covered early on in their careers by Sandman, most notably The Kaiser Chiefs in Leeds and Arctic Monkeys in Sheffield. Sandman has gained recognition and praise from figures such as the radio DJ Steve Lamacq and Simon Williams of Fierce Panda Records. Since 2005 Sandman Magazine has worked with the Mean Fiddler organisation helping pick unsigned bands to play at the Leeds Festival.