1. Music Magazines have the power to make readers feel they are part of an association of compatible individuals who have
similar thoughts and feelings and share their philosophy in life. Magazines have the power to make readers feel they are
part of a special club of like-minded individuals who like the same things, understand or ’get’ the references made and
share their philosophy in life. Magazines can become like a friend to their readers. Readers are often aspiring musicians
themselves or music plays a big part in their life. The readers sometimes aspire to be like the celebrities/models on the
front of the magazines.
Magazines are big promotional tools, magazines have the power to influence the musical tastes of the readership. The
readers would be passionate and serious about what’s inside the magazine. The mode of address can help to identify the
target audience and the genre of music. The style of the magazine reflects the style of music it promotes.
Magazines feature a colourful combination of text and image throughout. Cover mount is sometimes used on the
magazines to make the readers more curious to what is inside making them more likely to buy it. There are certain
features that are repeated to create a brand identity.
With magazines, the image dominates the front cover and the models are predominantly beautiful females to help sell
copies but on indie rock magazines men dominate the covers. Women are represented in a limited of ways, ranging from
the sex object to the fan. On the front cover, the more important sell-lines are placed in the left-hand third. In music
magazines posters are often given away inside. There are also often pictures of the readers enjoying themselves appear
inside, allowing for even more reader involvement.
Independent music often shortened to Indie Music or ‘INDIE’ refers to artists purposely placing themselves in the
opposition to mainstream music; non-commercial music. The theme indie has become quite popular. Not only is it a
music genre but a style, attitude and even apart of beliefs. Indie has transformed a wide range of the teenage population.

2. Key Conventions of the Music magazines:
Codes and Conventions are simply the effects of specific features used in magazines. Colours clearly reflect genre
and the gender of the audience, colour is also used to show the brand identity of the magazine. Iconography is
used to show the genre, this means the visuals that reflect the genre, for example using instruments suited to the
genre. Mise-en-Scene reflects the genre as well, Mise-en-scene includes body language, facial
expression, costume, setting, lighting, composition. Mode of address reflects genre, audience gender, age and
social status. Music magazines and websites feature music specific news and features – gig/concert
reviews, articles/ interviews with artists/interviews with artists and album/single reviews are all common. It is a
convention for pop magazines to feature less music related news and information. There will usually be fashion
and beauty advice, ‘hot’ boys and celebrity gossip. Male artists appear more than female artists. Posters are often
included inside, usually within those magazines aimed at a youth audience. Music websites and music magazines
websites will include multimedia elements such as videos and podcasts and invitations to join social networking
sites. Magazines will used majority of their features month in month out to create a link this is known as the brand
identity.

3. •Kerrang is a UK-based magazine devoted to
rock music published by Bauer Media Group.
•It was first published on 6 June 1981 as a
one-off supplement in the Sounds
newspaper.
•Named after the onomatopoeic word that
derives from the sound made when playing a
power chord on a distorted electric guitar,
•Kerrang was initially devoted to the New
Wave of British Heavy Metal and the rise of
hard rock acts.
•In the early 2000s it became the best-selling
British music newspaper.
Kerrang's website is dedicated to finding
out more information to do with the
magazine and also the latest information
on the current bands and upcoming
events.
I am going to look at code and conventions that are
for music magazines but focus on those that are
only exclusively made to focus on the genre of
‘INDIE ROCK’. The main music magazine that I will
research is KERRANG as it has the same genre as I
am focusing on.
This specific magazine attracts
predominantly males of average age of
24 and mid teens. The majority are still
in education while the rest are working.
This tells me that my target audience will
be similar to KERRANG and I should
target this age and gender because they
are mostly interested.
Content: new
releases, tours, festivals, gig
info, album and single
reviews and general new
related to indie music.

4. Named after the onomatopoeic word that comes from the sound made when playing a power chord on a out of shape
electric guitar, Kerrang! The masthead is in capital letters, which is displayed in bold solid font just like NME. The
magazine name ‘Kerrang’ almost looks like its made from glass and has been attempted to be smashed. This suites the
rebellious ‘ROCK & Roll’ lifestyle. The masthead is found in the same place on the front cover making a link in each
issue, this enhances the brand identity. The main sell-lines always cross through the middle of the main image. The
barcode is located in the bottom right corner. There is always more than one image on the front cover making the page
aesthetically pleasing and draws in the readership. It shows and hints featured artists included in the magazine. There
are only some magazines that included puffs on the front cover. Puffs include major information that would entice the
readers. Quotes are used all over the front cover to make the reader feel like they are being spoken to. The quotes are
almost like gossip, teasing the reader of what could be inside. There are many sell-lines and photos covering the page
but fitting around the majority of the main image. On the front cover there is a section at the top and bottom of the
page that has some of the most important information hinting the inside of the magazine. In these parts the text is
always telling the readership major information that is unknown to them. For example, facts about a popular band or
artists. The more artists and bands listed on the front cover entices the readership making them think the magazine is
worth the money as its packed full of entertaining information. The main image are mostly full of straight faced artists
in clothing that suites the occasion of why they are on the cover. The colours also help indicate the theme running
through the magazine. I think the overall look of the magazine is youthful, mescaline and very ‘ROCK & Roll’.

5. I am going to look at code and conventions that are
for music magazines but focus on those that are
only exclusively made to focus on the genre of
‘INDIE’. The main music magazine that I will
research is NME as it has the same genre as I am
focusing on.
• First published in 1952 as a weekly paper.
•At first, the magazine was in an A3 form at and looked
like a tabloid newspaper.
•It originally used the full title of ‘THE NEW MUSICAL
EXPRESS’ as its masthead. Then it was changed to NME
when the publication was given a makeover.
•In the 1950s and 1970s, the magazine started to look a
bit out dated alongside newer music magazines.
•This led to a new editor being drafted in 1972 to give the
magazine its first new design.
• It wasn’t until 2000 that NME acquired its more
magazine- like appearance (glossy cover, colour pages etc)
•NME is owned by IPC media.
•Currently costs £2.40
•Issued Weekly
NME is the longest published weekly music magazine
around the world, it promotes indie rock. This is also
why I am researching this magazine. Not only is it the
same genre I am focusing on but because it is known
worldwide and this will help me to recognise and
include features that would help to make it sell to
the audience.
This specific magazine attracts
predominantly males of average age of
24 and mid teens. The majority are still
in education while the rest are working.
This tells me that my target audience will
be similar to NME and I should target
this age and gender because they are
mostly interested.
Content: new
releases, tours, festivals, gig
info, album and single
reviews and general new
related to indie music.

6. The short form which is ‘NME’ has a more modern take to it. The masthead is in capital letters, which is a display of
bold and solid font. This makes it more anchored towards a male target audience. The masthead is found in the same
place in each issue, looking the same including text and colour, this creates features to maintain the brand identity. The
main sell-line is written across the main image towards the bottom of the page. The barcode and price are hidden
away making the target audience search for it. The barcode is located in the lower right corner of the magazine.
Feature article photos appear on the front cover are used to advertise the bands and artist within the magazine.
Circular puffs are visible on the front covers, these provide information that will entice the reader to look inside. The
use of quotation establishes an informal and casual mode of address and makes the target audience feel they are being
spoken to by whoever has spoken (featured) in the magazine. Having direct page numbers on the front cover urges the
‘verdict’ of the target audience. The location and size of the sell-lines suggests the importance of what it is related to.
For example, if a bands name is written in a big and bold text on the cover it shows its importance and even hinting the
loyalty the magazine has for the band or artist. On the majority of ‘NME’ magazines there is a list of featured artistes at
the bottom of the page. This entices the target audience to buy and read the magazine, making the feel they are
getting more for their money. The repetitive usage of the colours red, white and blue featured on the front cover
reflects British bands. Then the added black on the cover makes it look masculine. The colours help to indicate that
the magazine celebrates ‘INDIE ROCK’ music. The use of dark clothing and expressionless faces help to point towards
the ‘INDIE ROCK’ lifestyle. Each feature helps to make the magazine suit the ‘INDIE ROCK’ music genre.