This is encroaching on JAG territory as the label I'm on's involved with the launch but it also sounds an interesting idea:

i.e. people pay £2 a month to get an (admittedly already free in venues) magazine delivered to them, plus an exclusive CD, discounted gig entry and stuff

and, as a result,

they massively subsidise the cost of indepedent labels and artists advertising in their magazine and undertake to review every single independent release in the country.

and, as a result, they're under less pressue to take adverts from big-spending labels they might not necessarily like the music of and can run adverts from independent labels-only, whcih is obviously potentially good for independent music.

There's more info on www.beardaid.co.uk.

I'm aware I'm practically running an advert for them rather than being objective but it honestly is simply 'cos I like the fact they're trying something ambitious to help promote independent music...