Kerrang Contents page analysisBanner The banner at the top of the contents page is written in Black san serif font. It stands out on the yellow background. The logo “Kerrang!” is the same as it is on the front cover. It looks rough on the edges which portrays the type of music. The logo also advertises itself letting the reader know that this is Kerrang.

Main image The main image includes the band “All Time Low” which takes up most of the contents page. The members of the band are all in black which links to the genre of music they play-Rock. Rock artists tend to wear dark colours. They also blend in with the dark background. However, two of the band members are wearing t-shirts with white messages on. The other two members are hidden behind and are just wearing plain white t-shirts. This shows that the other two band members aren’t as important as the ones in the front.

Photoshop has been used there is a grey body shape in the middle of the band. The body shape says “THIS COULD BE YOU!” in a black sans serif font which stands out on the grey/white background colour. The font used relates to a younger( modern generation). The writing is in capitals and gives the impression that it is shouting at the readers. Direct address is also used. Which makes the audience feel a connection. It makes them feel as if the band is saying “this could be you” too them.

Subscription On the bottom right hand corner. There is a subscription advertisement. This is used to try and persuade readers to subscribe. It is placed on the contents page as most readers visit this page. The background is blue and two yellow banners are placed on top. With writing in the colour black which stands out above the yellow. The font Is also in capital letters. This gives the impression of shouting at the readers to subscribe. This is used to get this stuck in the readers mind.

Colour scheme The colours used are typical to kerrang! magazines. The colours consist of yellow, black, red and white. White is used as the background of the main text. This is the usual background colour for text to sit on. Yellow is used for the important bits of text. For example on the cateogories on the right hand side. Yellow is used for “news” “features” etc. This catches the readers attention and making it easier to find what they are looking for. The colour red is used on the sub-heading, because red is only used here we focus on that straight away.

Editors note The editors note directly addresses the readers as it says “HELLO READERS.” This makes them feel welcome and comfortable, it also makes them feel like they’re interacting with the magazine itself. This is written in bold san serif font. So it catches the audience’s attention. The san serif font connotes that it is addressing the younger/modern generation.

Language The language used is informal. For example underneath the heading “feedback” it states. “You lot seem realllllllllly excited about 2015”. The word “really” has been exaggerated this is not its proper grammatical spelling. This shows that kerrang! Is using slang. Which shows us that the audience is aimed at the younger generation. The older generation would not type of read texts with spellings like this.

Kerrang-Front cover analysisMasthead The masthead is bold and dark which stands out on the page. The font used looks like broken glass which portrays the idea of rebellion. This links in to the genre of music this magazine focuses on- Rock music. The whole of the masthead is not shown. The letter “R” and some of “A” are hidden behind the main image. This suggests that the magazine is well known and doesn’t need to be fully seen. We still know it says Kerrang! The exclamation mark at the end gives a dramatic feel and makes it stand out. It makes the title look louder which links with the type of music- loud rock music.

Main image The main image is a medium close up. Meaning that we focus on the mise-en-scene. The clothes they wear portray a rock vibe. They wear all black and one member wears a leather jacket. We would associate people who wear all black to be people who listen to this type of music. Direct address is also used. They look straight into the camera which makes the audience feel like they have a connection with them.

Flash/Buzzword The flash in the middle of the magazine states “Exclusive new interview”. This stands out above the black colour which sits behind it. The buzzword “exclusive” catches the audience’s attention because it makes them feel like they are getting something out of the magazine- they are the first ones to see the interview. This encourages the audience to buy the product.

Colour scheme- The colours used consist of yellow, red black and white. The colours red and yellow are primary colours. The background colour yellow is extremely bright and stands out the most. Red is equally bright and contrasts with the colour yellow. Both colours are in your face. They catch the viewers’ attention. Red and black are both known for being colours used for punk/rock magazines. The connotations of the colour red are that it symbolises danger. Red is a stimulant colour which makes us make quick decisions- this is why it is used for what is featured in the magazine to make us buy the magazine. The colour black is a mysterious colour and has a negative connotation. When combined with red it gives and

Sub-image The sub image used advertises what is included inside the magazine. (posters) It attracts the audience and makes them want to purchase this issue. The sub-image sits on the left side of the grid. This is the first thing the audience will see as we read from left to right so our eyes will automatically look to the left hand side.

Language The language used draws in the readers. Words such as “new”, “need”, “special”, “mega” all make the audience feel as though this issue is something special. By using these words the audience will want to buy the magazine subliminally. The language used persuades them without them noticing. Questions are also used such as “will they survive the gnarliest gig ever?” The reader will want to know this answer so will buy the magazine to find out.

Footer The footer is placed at the bottom of the page which adds information about the bands included inside the magazine. They are written in a bold font which makes them stand out above the yellow background.

Audience The colours used are very masculine,

Kerrang- double page spread analysisHouse Style/ Colours The colours used in this double page spread consist of red, yellow, white and black. This keeps to the house style of many kerrang! Articles. The colours used are also colours associated with the band. The colour yellow is used for the important words. Such as the artists name “Dave Grohl”.

Drop Cap A drop cap is used at the start of each sentence. This is a typical feature in many music magazines. The large letter captures the reader’s attention. Especially because of its size and the bright colour used.

Images There is one large image which takes up half of the page on the left hand side. The image includes the band with the main man “Dave Grohl” placed at the front of the rest of the band. This suggests that he is the most important out of all of them. The background colour is red which blends in with the articles colour theme. His surname is also in capitals using san serif font in bright yellow underneath this image. This again enforces the idea that he is the one to focus on. Smaller images are then placed randomly on other parts of the pages, There are a number of them. This is important because the images catch the readers attention. The images all include Dave Grohl. They are all out of studio shots which links to what the article is about- Dave Grohl performing at many venues. They are also mainly mid-shots.

Quote A pull quote is placed in between the main text. This stands out between the small text font. The quote is noticeable and the reader will most likely see this before they read the text. This gives the reader and insight to what the article entails.

Language The language used is persuasive. For example the heading “We built this city on rock ‘n’ Grohl!” This is referencing a song- which links to the fact it is a music magazine. Instead of the word “roll” “Grohl” is used instead. This is effective because everyone knows the song. It catches the reader’s attention. The exclamation mark at the end brings a sense of excitement and makes the reader want to read on to see what the excitement is about.

Mise-en-scene Props are used such as drums and guitars. This shows the band in their usual place. By adding instruments we get a more realistic feel. The photographs are not set up or photo shopped they are down to earth. The clothes they wear are darker colours which blend in and link with the colour scheme.

Layout The number of columns on double page spreads often alternate. There is not a norm. On this double page spread we have 3 columns on the first page and 2 on the second page.

Anchors A sentence is added on each image. This describes what is happening in the picture to give the audience a better understanding of the image.

Colour scheme- The colours used consist of yellow, red black and white. The colours red and yellow are primary colours. The background colour yellow is extremely bright and stands out the most. Red is equally bright and contrasts with the colour yellow. Both colours are in your face. They catch the viewers’ attention. Red and black are both known for being colours used for punk/rock magazines. The connotations of the colour red are that it symbolises danger. Red is a stimulant colour which makes us make quick decisions- this is why it is used for what is featured in the magazine to make us buy the magazine. The colour black is a mysterious colour and has a negative connotation. When combined with red it gives and Audience The colours used are very masculine,

Kerrang

Who is the target audience?

From the magazine I have analysed I would suggest that the magazine is aimed towards men. This is because of the colours used. The colours used are black, red, yellow and white. Commonly used for male audiences.

Kerrangs audience is aimed at males ages 15-34. We can see this because it covers bands such as All time low- which would appeal to a younger audience. If it was for an older audience it would cover bands such as ACDC.

How does the magazine appeal to them?

The magazine appeals to them because of the techniques used. The colour scheme and the way language is used persuade the audience to get the magazine. For example on the magazine I analysed. Words such as “exclusive” and “new” and “need” were used these are all persuasive and make them feel as if they have to buy the issue. The colours are bright and stand out which make the magazine look appealing, the colour catches their attention. The medium close up used also takes up a fair bit of the magazine. If they are interested in that band “all time low” then they will see the image straight away and will be drawn to it.

How does the magazine pitch itself? (mission statement)

The magazine pitches itself as a well-known magazine, which attracts many readers. They give statistics to prove how many readers/viewers they get.

Readership/circulation

The total circulation of kerrang! Magazine was 24,207 from June-December 2015.

The readership is the graph at the top. We can see that readers are in the C/D social grouping. The magazine is a special buy for them.

Reader profile/Demographics

We can see that the reader profile is basically 60% men and 40% women. So Kerrang! Have more male readers. This fits with their aimed audience which is males between the ages 15-34. Kerrangs demographic fall into social class C/D and a mainly white British.