Analysis of Music Magazines Analysis of Music Magazines CoversCovers

(Q, atmosphere, mixmag,)(Q, atmosphere, mixmag,)

Q: Mainstream

MASTHEAD

SKYLINE

LEAD ARTICLECOVER LINES

MAIN IMAGE

PULL QUOTE

Q : Further AnalysisThe main image portrays the rock and roll image of the artist. This is shown through smashed masthead, it relates to the known rock and roll lifestyle (smashing up hotel rooms and being generally disruptive)

This is indicated further in the lead article and pull quote ‘I bought 50 tins of beans & an axe..’ this would make readers interested in this disturbed rock and roll lifestyle want to find out why he is acting this way. ‘matt bellamy is out of control’ reinforces this rock and roll image of a disturbed man.

A limited colour pallet is used which emphasises the image of the artist. Only deep red, white and grey/black is used which creates a rock theme, whilst keeping to the house style used in many Q issues.

This magazine would appeal to the target audience as Q is aimed towards 25+ readers as apposed to a magazine such as NME which attracts a younger target audience. Q also focuses on rock and indie music as well as mainstream. It is obvious that Q magazine is a mainstream music magazine by looking at the cover lines. The cover lines feature a range of artists from Ian Brown to Dizzee Rascal to Dolly Parton.

ATM: Drum & Bass, Dub step

MAIN IMAGE

MASTHEAD

LEAD ARTICLE

COVER LINES

ATM: Further AnalysisThe main image portrays Dizzee Rascal as tough, mean and serious. This is indicated by the crouched stance, crossed arms and his hood up. His facial expression also shows him looking serious and not silly or happy. This may be because the readers of ATM would want to see the serious technical music side of Dizzee as appose to another magazine who may want to see the personal crazy side.

Unconventionally ATM doesn’t have any pull quotes or a specific Lead Article. It just features the name of the artist central to the magazine. This contributes to the clean-cut, minimalistic, stylish look of the magazine which remains as a house style throughout issues. The limited colour pallet also links with the minimalistic style. Mainly white, greys and Deep purple. Whilst the text is black to contrast with the light background. The reader of ATM will be fashion conscious and have a serious interest in the music industry. Therefore the stylish look will potentially link well with the lifestyles of readers.

Although ATM doesn’t use the left third as some magazine do (with the lead article on the left) this may be because a specialist magazine such as ATM wouldn't necessarily be sold in a newsagents, but more so in a book retailer where the magazine are more likely to be on display showing the whole of the front cover., as appose to just the left third. ATM however uses the free CD promotion in the left third and the masthead to draw the readers in.

Mixmag: Dance

MASTHEAD

LEAD ARTICLE

SKYLINE

MAIN IMAGE

COVER LINES

Mixmag: Further AnalysisThe main image on this issue of mixmag is unconventional as it features nine artists as appose to one or two, as would normally be expected. The artists all seem to be stylish and individual in their own different ways, through image and music . The reader should be able to relate to one artist, which would encourage them to buy the magazine.

The lead article ‘new school meet the young things that run things’ links with the stylish, fun main image, it also may attract the readers as mixmag is aimed at young adults.

The contrast of the artists bright clothing, and the turquoise and white colour pallet allows the emphasises the main image.

It is clear that mixmag is aimed towards young adults as the skyline promotions ‘huge club guide 1317 nights out’ this is the typical readers lifestyle, clubbing and looking good. This is evident also within the cover lines ‘best underage club nights – insane car sound systems’ readers of mixmag want to have a party lifestyle whilst showing off to their mates. Therefore mixmag is effectively attractive to readers.