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

3. 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 masthead is positioned behind
the main image, drawing the image
forward and allowing more attention
to be focused on it.
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 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 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.
Barcode, Issue number and price
The footer also states
other information in the
magazine. The word
‘PLUS!’ makes the reader
excited and intrigued

4. 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.
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.
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 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 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
Persuasive language is printed on the coverlines, 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.

5. 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.
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.
Barcode
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.
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.
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.
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.

7. Yellow bold text on a black
background so it stands out.
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.
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.
Issue number and cover date
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.
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.
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.
Examples of other magazines to
elaborate the delivery offer.
Information on the photography.
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.
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.
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.

8. 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.
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.
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.
Each page number is in black
colour, making it stand out.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
Image of another copy of the
magazine, which is what the reader
will sign up for.

9. 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.
The masthead is
clear to see, as
the text is big
and bold.
Date of issue
The titles sectioning the text
in two are in red font instead
of black, clearly splitting the
text and draws attention to it.
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.
40 = long shot
60 = Medium close
up
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.
The red circle sticker
addresses the
reader, asking them what
music they listen to. This
could be seen as
challenging the reader.
Image of the editor, making
the text more intimate and
personal.
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
48 issue. angle, long
= low
shot, showing dominance.
66 = long shot
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.
This medium long shot of a woman would
appeal to the male audience.

11. 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).
Member of the band
Main text on a white
background, standing out
from the bright pink and
black colours.
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
Band name
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.
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
Consistent use of the feminine colour
wants and this attitude
pink suggests that although the band
would appeal to both
members are mostly male, the
genders.
dominant figure is female. This would
appeal to female readers as it shows
them as the dominant sex.

12. 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.
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.
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.
Name of photographer
Magazine name and page number
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.
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
Star-power
unusual pose and will attract
the reader’s attention.

13. 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.
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.
Name of artist
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.
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.