Analysis of Music Magazine 3- Kerrang

Sophie

Background History of Kerrang

• It is a UK based magazine focusing on the rock music genre

• Its first issue was published on the 6th June 1981

• Its publisher is Bauer Media Group and comes out weekly.

• This magazine also links to the radio station under the same name

Front CoverMastheadThe masthead of the magazine (kerrang) is near the top of the magazine cover. It covers the whole width of the magazine suggesting that it has a lot of importance. However, the masthead is placed behind the image of the main artists. This suggests that the magazine doesn’t care about the ‘brand’/name of the magazine but rather who is on the front to attract the audience. Also the masthead is the colour white. This stands out on the red background of the image making the audience slightly attracted to it.

Main Image

The main image is in the centre of the magazine. This is used to draw the attention of the reader directly to the main artists of the magazine. The man in the middle is holding and talking into megaphone. Around the image as a whole there are sound waves. This and the megaphone suggest that the magazine is quite loud and vibrant and this reflects on the artist. The artists are wearing all black except for the one in the left third who is wearing white. The all black suggests that the type of music that they are aiming at/performing is quite punk rock/gothic which suggests that this fits in with the genre of music that the magazine targets.

HeaderThe header of the magazine shows the reader that the magazine is offering all readers a set of posters. This attracts the reader as it might be exclusive to the magazine and they may not be able to get this set in any other magazine. This shows that the magazine is giving readers a one off and this may attract theme to future issues

Flash

The flash on this magazine has been used to give the reader details on a competition they can take part in. This will attract the readers to the magazine because they could win something exclusive to this particular magazine that no other magazine can offer.

Main cover line/Pull Quote

The main cover line of this magazine is the band name ‘Sleeping with Sirens’. This will attract dedicated fans to the magazine as they will want to read about their favourite band. The pull quote of the magazine links with the image used on the cover. The quote ‘Here to wake up your town’ links with the megaphone and the sound waves in the background again suggesting the band has quite loud music but also a loud personality. It’s placed slightly in the left third in order to attract people to the magazine.

Date/Barcode/Price

The barcode of the magazine is in the bottom right of the magazine and is also very small. This suggests that readers don’t buy the magazine for the price but for who is on the magazine.

FooterThe footer of this magazine shows all the extras inside the magazine. This suggests that the magazine has a lot of content and its worth the money readers have to pay to buy the magazine.

Left ThirdThe left third of this magazine includes things that will attract the audience to the magazine such as ‘secret albums’ etc

Contents PageMasthead/Contents

The contents heading is in the top right hand corner of the magazine page. It is in a black bubble with white font which links with the magazines overall theme and house style. The bubble also includes the heading for the editorial. The contents is in a big bubble meaning that the reader is drawn to it.

Contents/Headings/Subheadings

The contents is shown in back tabs with yellow writing. This makes it stand out on the blank white page. The page numbers are in bright red whilst the subheadings are also in black. These also stand out on the page attracting the audience to every article in the magazine.

Main Image

The main image on the contents page reflects the artist in the front cover again showing that they are the main article in the magazine. It also has a large page number on the image as well to indicate where the article with this band is in the magazine.There are also several smaller images dotted around the page suggesting that these articles are also quite important but not as interesting as the main article.

Copy/Editorial

The editorial of the magazine is made by the editor. It uses chatty, informal language to attract the audience and make them feel like they can connect to the editor and therefore connect to the magazine. Also the use of a hand signature to sign the editorial off gives it a personal touch that again attracts the audience.

Double Page SpreadStructure

The structure of the article is a 4 column structure. This depends on how the editor wants the magazine to look.

Heading

There isn’t a heading on this page of the article but there is on the first page of the spread. The heading missing from this article means that there is more space to include interviews and images of the band attracting the reader to the magazine again and again.

Main Image

The main image is part of both the double page spreads. The megaphone and the sound waves is a constant theme throughout the photoshoot. This again suggests that the band is lous and vibrant and appeals to a certain age and genre (punk rock). The other 4 members on the other page have their fingers in their ears whilst the other member shouts into the megaphone. This suggests that the one with the megaphone is the leader of the group whilst the other take a backseat. The white background with the purple columns and sound waves helps the band member stand out and draws the attention of the reader to them.

Side Images

There are some images of the band running down the left hand side of the double page spread. This allows the reader to get to know the band a little more and allows them to connect more with the band. This attracts the reader as it makes them feel like they know them a bit more personally and they will want to know if they are in the future issues making the reader more loyal.

Byline

The byline is included on the page so that the reader can know who exactly wrote the article. This can also mean that if the reader liked their work they can look for some of their other work.

Audience

• The magazine is targeted at both genders but focuses on the teenage age bracket.

• To attract this audience, the magazine looks unisex and the colours attract both genders. Also the inclusion of posters attract teenagers as this is something that links to teenagers stereotypically (putting posters on their walls)

Links

• The elements that link the magazine together is the:

• Text: The font used on the cover, contents and double page spread keeps the magazines theme and house style.

• Tone: The tone of the magazine is constant throughout. Informal and chatty

• Colours: The text colours and the colours used in the background of images is consistent and carries on throughout.