2. Q Magazine
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly, exclusively for the
UK. Q was first published in October 1986, making it more unique by
setting higher standards of photography and printing by Bauer Media.
To begin with, the magazine was called ‘Cue’ – to cue a record, but the
name was changed to stop it being mistaken for a snooker magazine,
but also because one letter would be more attractive on newsstands.
On average, each monthly issue sells 80,418 copies.
The magazine consists of exclusive features such as interviews with up
to 6 artists, and also regular features such as a new artist’s column and
‘Qmail’. So most of the magazine is devoted to interviews with popular
music artists from all genres.
Promotional gifts are often given free with the magazine such as CD’s.
Q’s target audience is mature music lovers, both male and female ages
16-40 year olds. Q’s main interest is new artists and releases, rather
than focusing on a particular genre, this widens their audience.
3. A skyline is used across the top of the
The masthead is covered by the artist featured. Q magazine is a monthly alternative music magazine, and carries on around the right
This is done because Q knows its readers can magazine. The magazine includes various side behind the image, which creates a border
recognise their logo by showing the tiniest part of types of music featured, as seen on the effect. The words written are ‘The Q awards
it – loyal readership. A four star rating is given to front cover, U2 are a rock band, Adele is a 2011’ which is in a black font on a gold
another artist – Florence and the Machine on a soul/pop singer, Coldplay are an alternative background, which is a highly rated colour,
stamp effect. However, only the name ‘Florence’ rock band, Tinie Tempah is a rap artist and associated with royalty most commonly. This
is used, this tells us that the readers will be able to Ed Sheeran is a hip-hop/grime and acoustic tells us that these awards are highly rated and
immediately know who they’re talking about. This artist. given to only the best, and by expressing this
also shows that Q are confident their audience will on the front cover it emphasises the selling of
know the artist by shortening the name. the magazine.
The serif font of the quote gives the
The image is a long group shot of the band U2. They impression of it being written down
are arranged in a position so that the most quickly whilst in the interview. The quote
important member (Bono – the singer) is at the is placed over the top of the main image
front, and the next familiar member is behind etc. which immediately makes us associate it
Direct address is used by two of the members, with them people shown. Emphasis is put
which connects with the audience. One member, on the word ‘again’ because the band
with the grey jacket is looking at the lead singer, knows they are very successful, and could
placed at the front of the image which shows continue to be.
admiration towards him and how he is inspired by
him. Bono is positioned at the front because
everyone is familiar with him, even if they don’t The pink and yellow font of the headline
listen to his music of buy the magazine. He is connotes warm colours, and familiarisation
wearing sunglasses, which is part of his image as an with the artist. The headline is placed in a
artist so we cannot see whether direct address is box in the right third – this goes against the
used or not, although he is looking in the direction conventions of a music magazine as the
of the camera. The four members are also headline is usually placed in the left third.
positioned very carefully – the first and third However, another box is used in the left third
members’ bodies are facing the camera, and the which again promotes the Q awards. It uses a
second and fourth members’ bodies are facing style where the most important artist goes at
sideways, which connotes and orderly fashion in the top in a bigger font, and as you move
the band. down the list the artists become less
important and in a smaller font – this is a
style most commonly associated with a music
festival line-up.
4. NME Magazine
The NME (New Musical Express) is a popular music
magazine in the UK which has been published
weekly since 1952. A website has was also
launched in 1996 - NME.com which has 5 million
users a month. NME features music genres such
as indie and rock.
When NME started, it was a music newspaper
which was the first British paper to include the
singles chart. Monthly, 33,875 copies are sold.
NME is owned and produced by IPC Media group.
The magazine includes features
5. This front cover supports the
conventions of a music magazine by
Clear house colours are
putting the headline in the left third. A
quote is used to give the audience a recognisable – red and
hint of Liam Gallagher’s interview. By white, and a little black.
using only the first name of the artist,
it tells us that NME know they have
loyal readership and they know their The image is layered behind
readers will be familiar with the artist. the masthead. This tells us
the magazine doesn’t have
loyal readership as they
wouldn’t be able to
Indirect address is recognise the masthead or
used by the feature magazine is it was covered.
artist and he is
wearing sunglasses.
This adds to his iconic ‘Your’ – the use of direct
image as a music address is written with
artist. the headline. This draws
readers in and encourages
them to buy the
magazine.
The image is in black and white
which adds a vintage effect to it.
Also, the black and white makes the
masthead and headline stand out to The feature headlines are
attract the reader – it may also be arranged very clearly, like
unique to other music magazines articles.
next to it on the newspaper stand.
6. Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a rock music magazine first published in
1981. It is published by Bauer Consumer Media in
the UK. The rise in publication came when metal
and rock genre came much more popular, with
bands such as Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and
Slipknot. The sales declined in 2005
Each issue sells 43,003 copies, and is published
weekly. The main target audience are 15-21 year
olds of predominantly males who are interested
in punk/metal/rock music.
7. Part of the masthead ‘Exclusive’ is used twice on the front cover The cover is very
is covered by the which encourages people to buy the busy, there is a lot
main image, this magazine. These are called pull words.
shows loyal to look at and
readership as the could be confusing
audience will be for older
familiar on how to audiences.
recognise the
magazine. ‘Win’ is used – another
pull word to entice
Posters are free readers to buy the
inside the magazine.
magazine – this
entices people to A skyline is used to
buy the magazine. introduce a featured
Also, posters artist – My Chemical
appeal more to Romance – but i is
their target abbreviated as MCR –
audience as they this tells us Kerrang!
can stick them on know their audience
their bedroom very well and are
walls. confident they’ll know
who they’re talking
about.
8. Classic FM
Launched in: 1995, Total circulation per issue: 30,225
Classic FM is the UK’s best selling monthly classical magazine.
It is produced by the Haymarket Media Group. Often, a
free classical music CD is given free with each issue. The
magazine is full of the latest classical music news,
composer profiles, CD reviews, music features and artist
interviews. As well as this, because the magazine is a sister
to the radio station Classic FM, programme information is
also included. Over 6 million people listen to Classic FM
each week, which places the magazine in a perfect position
to appeal to the market.
It is targeted to classical music enthusiasts and people
beginning to have a feel for the music.
9. Direct address is used Bar code and price The masthead colours change
from the artist; Katherine line is placed in the from black to white as the
Jenkins. This creates sex bottom right hand font is layered over the cover
appeal and connects with corner artist.
the audience. Her facial
expression is very idyllic Photos are layered
and angelic which reflects on top of the main
on the classical music she image and as cover
performs. lines. Few of the
other music
An advertisement for magazines do this, as
a free CD is used as only text is used.
an incentive to draw
in and gain a loyal Very cool and calm
readership. colours are used for the
cover lines and skyline
etc. The lead article is
A pull line is used ‘People’s written in the same
favourite reveals the colour as her skin and
heartache behind her new Two very traditional fonts
hair colour.
CD’. This appeals to the are used. This connects
audience, as its exclusive with the genre of music
to the magazine being written about.
