similar music magazine analysis

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Similar music magazine research analysis

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Music magazine analysis of three front covers, contents pages and double page spreads of music magazines similar to my own that i will create.

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Page 1: Similar music magazine analysis

Similar music magazine research analysis

Page 2: Similar music magazine analysis

FRONT COVER ANAYLSIS

Page 3: Similar music magazine analysis

Kerrang!

The masthead is positioned behind the main image, drawing the image forward and allowing more attention to be focused on it.

The masthead is well-known, with a unique recognisable font. The cracks in the font symbolise that the magazine is printed in an informal style, supporting the music genre it promotes, also giving the text a rugged look.

The main image is of the featured band My Chemical Romance. The images applies to the rule of thirds and is a medium shot to allow the reader to see their costumes. Each band member is conveying a direct mode of address, looking straight into the lens of the camera as if they are addressing the reader themselves. The leader singer Gerard Way is positioned in the foreground of the image, signifying he is the dominant member of the group.

The text ‘World Exclusive’ alone promotes this magazine issue as it intrigues the audience into thinking they won’t get this information anywhere else. The colours used are similar to the main title, however the layering of the colours have been switched, still keeping a consistent colour scheme without overpowering the cover.

The main title uses a tilted font, to illustrate the bands exciting and long-awaited ‘return’. This also links in with the main image as it shows the band featured. The colours used are red, white and yellow, which are unisex and eye-catching. There are two parts to the title, both using the background colour red, however the text ‘The return of’ is in white, which is a startling contrast and therefore draws attention. The other half of the title ‘My Chemical Romance’ is in a larger yellow font with red outlining and also tilted. The interesting colour combination will allow the audience to focus on the title, as it looks exciting and eye-catching.

The header gives an insight to what is included in the magazine. Accompanied by a small picture of Billie Joe Armstrong so star-power will attract the audience to the header.

The filmstrip banner of images helps promote the content inside the magazine, showing the reader the celebrities inside and a ‘poster special’ in yellow highlighted in black. This is slanted which links with the slanted title above.

The footer also states other information in the magazine. The word ‘PLUS!’ makes the reader excited and intrigued

Barcode, Issue number and price

Page 4: Similar music magazine analysis

NME

The band members are dressed in black, which draws attention to the white and pink text. The text is a consistent font but different sizes, the band name ‘Paramore’ is the largest size, being one of the first things the reader sees. The text is pink, a feminine colour that suggests the leader singer’s dominance in the band as she is the only female, and also positioned at the front.

The masthead is positioned on the top left of the cover, making the title easier to read on magazine racks and therefore easily accessible. The font used is large and in capital letters, and a startling red colour, connoting excitement and draws further attention to the magazine itself.

Persuasive language is printed on the cover-lines, appealing to the reader as they would want to conform to what the rest of the public are doing and seeking guidance. The text directly addresses the reader which would make them feel obliged to find out information.

Red and black text is in front of a white circle, which is eye catching and brings attention to the text and information inside the issue. It suggests that this information is also important.

The header includes star power as a new artist is featured, in bold black writing that links with the band members costumes and colour scheme.

The main image is of the featured band Paramore, linking with the main text. This image applies to the rule of thirds as it is positioned higher than central. Each character is looking directly into the camera, creating direct mode of address and therefore connecting with the reader. The woman’s hair and make up is bright, contrasting with the black and grey background, signifying her dominance over the magazine.

Barcode, issue number and price

Page 5: Similar music magazine analysis

Metal Hammer

This main image breaks the convention of a typical medium shot image, by choosing to have a long shot of the band, making their full outfits and body language visible. This is an unusual option which makes the magazine stand out, and allows the reader to take an interest in it, it also shows how the band members are positioned, which connotes their ‘cool’ attitude.

It is clear that the people in the main image are looking directly into the camera lens, despite their eyes being covered by sunglasses, as their faces are turned forwards the camera and the figure at the front is pointing out towards the reader. This is an informal and unusual stance, which would suggest to the reader that the band are different from the others and are therefore exciting and intriguing.

The background is black, grey and white – unusual choices when aiming to attract the reader’s attention. However, as the choice of colour scheme is so unusual, this would also intrigue the reader more as it goes against the typical conventions of a music magazine’s purpose to entertain as the scheme comes across firstly as boring.

The main text is spread out across the page, however it is different from the other magazine styles as the font isn’t bold as a way of standing out to the reader, this magazine has instead altered the font to a almost chalk drawn text of the band ‘Metallica’ (linking with the main image) to give the effect of graffiti. The text is also green, which contrasts with the monotone background and allows the text to further stand out. Green is also an unusual choice of main text, which may heighten the reader’s curiosity into the magazine.

The masthead is original and uses bold black font. This ties in with the consistent colour scheme of the magazine and connotes a more masculine target audience. The unusual style of font also makes the magazine more recognizable.

The size of the header is another unusual factor of this front cover. This header takes up 1/5th of the magazine space, bringing to attention freebees within the magazine and download offers. A variety of different colours have been displayed here along with font size variety, to allow certain words like ‘free’ and ‘posters’ to stand out.

Smaller images of the posters available inside the magazine are running down the side of the cover. This allows the reader to see the posters, and generates star power, if they recognize artists from the posters they might buy the magazine purely for that reason.

Barcode

Page 6: Similar music magazine analysis

CONTENTS PAGE ANAYLSIS

Page 7: Similar music magazine analysis

Kerrang! Yellow bold text on a black background so it stands out.

Issue number and cover date

The main image is positioned above the main text, which is a convention of most music magazines. The image is a medium of a singer, which connotes star power. The singer is surrounded my girls, which would appeal to the male reader, as they will aspire to be popular with females as well.

Snapshots of other pages within the magazine are printed above the main image, giving the magazine a relaxed feel, and allows the reader to see other content inside quickly. The images are also labelled with the artist/band’s name in a white box which draws more attention to it, and the page number the information is on.

The name of the band in black font, with a white background. Contrasting with the dark background and making it stand out. Also includes the page number.

The magazine clearly offers easier access to obtaining the issues, by having them self-delivered. This may attract some readers if they have difficulty buying it from the shops if they lead busy lives. The text is white, with a red and black box. The red box has the main offer inside, the red is eye catching as the main colour scheme of this page is blues, yellows, black and white so it contrasts. The phone number to contact the magazine is yellow which stands out.

Examples of other magazines to elaborate the delivery offer.

A note from the editor of the magazine, giving her opinion on the band ‘Biffy Clyro’ which may interest the reader and also gives the reader the impression that they are part of the magazine as the editor is addressing them and giving them their own personal view of the band.

Image of the editor to allow the reader to feel a more personal connection to the note, as the reader can’t imagine what the editor looks like.

Information clearly structured in an easy-to-read format, and follows the typical conventions of a contents page as the in columns. The information is clearly sectioned to different topics, as the titles are in yellow font with black boxes, helping the reader find different parts of the magazine.

Title of the magazine stands out despite it not being positioned at the top of the page, as it is the typical font style and white text.

Information on the photography.

Page 8: Similar music magazine analysis

NME

Band index, listing all of the bands featured in the magazine and what page they are on. This gives the reader easy asses to their favourite bands. The list is sectioned to the side of the page, the red font drawing attention to it.

Even though the subtitle of ‘Band Index’ is not too big, the text stands out as it is black, bold capitals on a white background and as the list is sectioned on the left hand side, the reader will still see it.

Each page number is in black colour, making it stand out.

Information on the photography.

I have found out through research that the offer to subscribe to the magazine is a convention on the contents page. The offer is printed in yellow text which stands out as it contracts with the otherwise bland colour scheme. The website is however, in white which is eye catching. The box is black which makes all the text inside stand out.

Image of another copy of the magazine, which is what the reader will sign up for.

‘The UK’s No.1 gig guide’ is promoting the issue and attracts the reader as they will want to look at the best gigs. The box is an arrow which is eye catching and makes the reader want to turn the pages to find the article.

Main text on the contents page, it is a mini story linking in with the image above.The caption is bold and interests the reader.

The title of the magazine stands out, despite the title being the same size and size of ‘This Week’. This is because the title is in the iconic ‘NME’ red font, outlined in white on a black boarder, whereas the other text is plain.

Date of issue

The main image is a long shot of the group mentioned below. Their instruments can be seen, and this will excite the reader as they see the group in action. This also emits star power.

The list of information inside the magazine is neatly sectioned on the right. The sections are also clear to see as they are divided with black boxes and bigger white blocked text. The page numbers are shown in red which stands out above the white background.

Page 9: Similar music magazine analysis

Metal Hammer

Unlike the other contents pages I have analysed, the title of the magazine is small and less recognisable, despite being positioned at the top of the page. However the title is in red font on a white background and this flash of colour does allow it to be noticed.

Date of issue

The masthead is clear to see, as the text is big and bold.

The subtitles has a consistent font similar to the masthead, however the text showing what the issue includes is a more legible font so it is clearer for the reader. The page numbers are red so it stands out.

The titles sectioning the text in two are in red font instead of black, clearly splitting the text and draws attention to it.

The red circle sticker addresses the reader, asking them what music they listen to. This could be seen as challenging the reader.

Various images of artists, informing the reader the artists inside the magazine. There is no ‘main image’ in this contents page, but a collage of these images. They are next to the text of what is inside the magazine, which the page number visible so the reader can therefore have visual aids to help them see what is inside the issue.

66 = long shot

48 = low angle, long shot, showing dominance.

40 = long shot

60 = Medium close up

Similar to Kerrang! magazine, there is a passage from the editor of the magazine, giving their own opinion. This makes the reader feel more involved in the magazine. The text stands out on a black background, separated from the other text as the rest of the magazine has a white background.

Image of the editor, making the text more intimate and personal.

This medium long shot of a woman would appeal to the male audience.

The ‘reviews’ section is clear and stands out with red text and black background. It informs the reader that bands such as ‘Slash’ are being reviews within the magazine.

Other events listed below.

Page 10: Similar music magazine analysis

DOUBLE PAGE SPREADS

Page 11: Similar music magazine analysis

Kerrang!

Large image of a medium close up of the lead singer of ‘Evanscence’. She is dressed in glamorous black clothes which mirrors the genre of the band (rock) and jewellery. From the MCU shot the reader can see her makeup, she looks presentable and this would appeal to the female audience as they’d want to look like her. Unlike most images on magazines, she is looking away from the camera, this could imply she doesn’t conform to the rules and does what she wants and this attitude would appeal to both genders.

This smaller image is a long shot of the whole band. This shows their costumes and the setting of an alley way. All the band members have serious faces which connotes they are professional and serious about their work.

A quotation from the text is at the side of the page, over the image. This draws attention to both the image and the text. The font is big and pink which connotes femininity, and shows the reader that the band is dominated by a woman (which is also implied by the positioning of the band members in the image, the female Amy is at the front, which shows that she is the leader).

Also, the quote makes an enigma code for the reader, to gain interest. The modal verb ‘had’ implies that the lead singer had to option but to back down from the limelight of the band for a while, and the reader will be intrigued as to why she had to leave. The unanswered enigma code will therefore make the reader read the rest of the article, to find out the information.

Member of the band Consistent use of the feminine colour pink suggests that although the band members are mostly male, the dominant figure is female. This would appeal to female readers as it shows them as the dominant sex.

Main text on a white background, standing out from the bright pink and black colours.

Band name

Page 12: Similar music magazine analysis

NME

The title of this article is disjointed, uneven and different sizes, which may represent the article’s interesting and fun content, and also may mirror the celebrity's wacky attitude. This will appeal to the young female adult reader, as they will want to be creative and different like her.

Due to the bright colours of the model’s outfit against the otherwise white and black colour scheme, this medium long shot of Lilly Allen will catch the reader’s eye. The image conforms to the rule of thirds, as the person is positioned to the right of the page. She is wearing a red top and necklace. The outfit is simple and easy to obtain, this will please the female reader as she will be able to copy her style. The red top connotes passion and her outgoing attitude, this is also portrayed by her stance. She is slightly leaning forward and has her hands on her hips, this is an unusual pose and will attract the reader’s attention.

She has heavy eye-makeup on which makes her look pretty and exaggerates her fashion sense. Her hair is stylish but messy, giving the impression that she doesn’t care what others think about her style.

Star-power

Name of photographer Main text follows the convention of being in columns so the content is neat and clear to read. The background is white, which makes the black text stand out, despite it being a small font.

Magazine name and page number

The name of the celebrity stands out in red text against the white background. It attracts the reader and allows them to associate the text with the main image of Lily Allen on the right.

Page 13: Similar music magazine analysis

Metal Hammer

Name of artist

Images of guitar picks and other musical props have been scattered around the corners of the page. This will attract the reader, as it isn’t a normal convention of a double page music magazine spread. It also promotes a musical theme, which would imply the band featured, and the entire magazine are very passionate and devoted to music.

The layout of images does not follow the normal convention of a double page spread, as there is no obvious main image. Instead, there is one medium long shot of the guitarist in the band featured in the magazine, which triggers star power, and a few images on the right side running down the page, of guitarists from low angles.

Quote from the article, with key words like ‘metal’ and ‘passion’ in red colouring instead of black, making the words stand out as they hold importance to the article.

Masthead is in front of a metal board, which links with the metal genre of the artists featured. The text is big, bold and white, however splashed with red. This gives the text a dangerous and edgy feel, which will appeal to the male reader.

Main text following the convention of a magazine, where the text is in columns so it is easy to read. The sub-headers are coloured red to make each section stand out, it also connotes passion and it is a masculine shade of red as its quite a muddy dirty colour, so it would appeal to the male audience.