Magazine Research analysisMusic magazines in the genre of rock and metal. Analysing how each of these magazines are laid out to appeal to the audience

Front covers

Kerrang is a very Kerrang is a very popular rock popular rock magazine magazine generally aimed generally aimed at teenagers at teenagers between the ages between the ages of 13 and 19. of 13 and 19. Kerrang features Kerrang features new bands, new bands, upcoming upcoming festivals, well festivals, well known known bands/artists and bands/artists and posters. Kerrang is posters. Kerrang is sold in the UK at sold in the UK at £2.20 and is easily £2.20 and is easily found in most found in most shops. Kerrang shops. Kerrang also includes a also includes a satirical comic satirical comic strip called strip called Pandora named Pandora named for its main for its main character, who is character, who is seen every week seen every week making fun of making fun of recent events in recent events in the rock world.the rock world.

Ville Valo, of the Ville Valo, of the band HIM, band HIM, (pictured in this (pictured in this issue) is featured issue) is featured in most of these in most of these issues and this is issues and this is very good very good advertisement advertisement and promotion the and promotion the band.band.

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By featuring various band names at the top of the magazine, the consumer willbecome interested with the issue.

This is kerrang’s typicalstyle of slogan. The appeal isVery grungy looking and is effective in conveying the genre of magazine. The white lines through the black text makes it seem like shattered glass and this gives attitude to the style.

This is an image of a lead singer of the band HIM. The image is an extreme close up and is very eye catching, Its as if he is staring at you. This encourages consumers to pick up the issue.

The cover line's feature content of the issue and this is also something that draws the viewer in. The bold text and colours are appealing because they contrast the image- select parts of text are green matching the artists eye colour.

This is the part of the magazine which will be seen on the shop shelves its very important that previews of the issue content is in the area of the cover.

The use of space on this cover is very cleverly done because they have included all the dates, issue no. and barcode in one area. This makes it easy for the consumer to find the information and also saves space else where.

Freebies Freebies Enticing the consumer to buy the magazine with the free gifts

NME aims their genre of music at indie/rock bands. This magazine is also appealing for teenagers and young adults. NME’s style is very consistent in every issue, however when featuring special promotions or celebrations, they will produce one off covers that represent the selling point of the magazine/band.

This particular cover is an example of this. NME also hold an awards show every year to celebrate the best new music of the past year. The nominations and eventual winners are voted for by the readers of the magazine.

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As this is a one off special issue of ‘The strokes’ this gives the magazine a Unique selling point and entices the Audience into buying the issue.

The masthead design style appears to be simple, It has remained this similar style since the late 1990s, early 2000s, so people are familiar with it and would be able to find it easily on a shelf. NME stands for 'new musical express' which gives the impression that it supplies people with new music information. New Musical Express is written in a much smaller font underneath the masthead.

Cover Cover lineslinesThe sticker style cover lines (flash)

are quite striking and are also a clever way to add colour and exclusive information.

This image of The Strokes, shows the contrast of colours and effects in shadows and highlights on the cover. The image is of the whole band, with the lead singer predominantly at the centre of the photo. This image conveys a rock ability attitude as none of the members are smiling and also the fact that the image is black and white portrays their ten years in the business as the image has an antique appeal. The text used contrasts the usage of colour on this magazine, and is also vey bold and centre stage. Its also in keeping with the style of NME’s slogan and works well in contrast to the image.

The barcode features a lot of information such as gigs and the magazines website, which is quite unusual but effective. Featuring content of this issue; bands

and artists. Contrasting shapes and text.

Q typically Q typically represents a poster represents a poster style to its cover and style to its cover and this is always this is always consistent in its consistent in its appeal. The appeal. The magazine has an magazine has an extensive review extensive review section, featuring: section, featuring: new releases, new releases, reissues, music reissues, music compilations, film compilations, film and live concert and live concert reviews, as well as reviews, as well as radio and television radio and television reviews. It uses a reviews. It uses a star rating system star rating system from one to five from one to five stars. stars.

It also compiles a list It also compiles a list of approximately of approximately eight albums, which eight albums, which it classes as the best it classes as the best new releases of the new releases of the last three months.last three months.Much of the Much of the magazine is devoted magazine is devoted to interviews with to interviews with popular musical popular musical artists.artists.

The magazine is well The magazine is well known for compiling known for compiling lists and this is lists and this is something they something they convey in the style convey in the style of the front cover of the front cover using the same or using the same or similar fonts and similar fonts and colours consistently colours consistently throughout the throughout the magazine. magazine.

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Cover lines and Cover lines and exclusivesexclusives

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This has been Q’s style of masthead for a number of years and this is something that consumers look for when purchasing a magazine, the style and colour is effectivebecause it is simple and bold. Originally it was to be called Cue but the name was changed so that it wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine.Another reason is that a single-letter title would be more prominent on newsstands

featuring popular bands on the front cover of the issue gives the magazine a wider variation of Consumers as they may not like the artiston the front cover. Bold text and colours help thisStand out.

The sticker style cover lines are quite striking and are also a clever way to contrast colour and exclusive information.

This image is very interesting as the overall style of the cover is a poster effect. The main image is very outstanding and detailed, using the artist’s attitude to her music and fashion style as the theme. The title ‘Sexy beast’ and the use of the panthers is a very cool association. The colour contrast of the image works because Lily is mainly in black, which fits in with the panthers next to her.The text used contrasts the usage of colour on this magazine, and is also vey bold and centre stage. Its also in keeping with the style of Qs slogan and works well in contrast to the image.

The barcode is simple and doesn’t include further information about the issue. It is placed strategically on the cover, leaving space at the bottom for further cover lines.

Cover Cover lineslines

Featuring more bands and contents of the issue, contrasting colours from above text and shapes. This cover line makes the front cover appear more like a stereotypical magazine as opposed to a complete poster style front cover.