The analysing of magazines

1. The Analysing of Music
Magazines

2. This front cover contains a
consistent colour theme , being
red and white. The colour red is
regal colour a connotation that
Taylor Swift is the queen of
country or royalty of the music
genre.
The colour red has clearly been used as the main colour on this cover
page. This colour was used because red brings text and images to the
foreground making them more noticeable.
Taylor Swift is centre of the magazine on the cover page.
cover wearing a red dress and black
heels. The fact that she’s wearing red
creates a sense of consistency to the
colour scheme. Taylor Swift is well-known
On the magazine front cover there are names of country artists
which strongly suggest that this magazine is associated with
country music alongside with the subheading.
Taylor Swift is a country singer
whom is a key symbol of country
music. If the subheading had not
said “The UK’s leading
independent country music
magazine” then the audience
would have still been able to
associate the magazine with
country music based on the artist
“Nashville Songwriters” is one of
the subheadings on the front page
of the magazine. This is related to
the music genre as Nashville is
considered to be the home of
country music. It is therefore used
in order to relate to the music
genre and to give the audience an
insight to the contents of the
magazine.
for writing country music
ballads. This links to the consistent
colour scheme as red is used as a
representation of love, an emotion
commonly explored by Taylor Swift.
The colour black, used on the
magazine’s front cover page,
symbolises elegance and secrets.
This shows that Taylor Swift has
graciousness and elegance, which is
also relatable to the genre of country
music.
As the colour black also shows
secretiveness , it potentially shows
that Taylor has hidden secrets that
she wants to tell, which the audience
will discover later on in the
magazine, which makes the
audience more likely to buy the
magazine, in order to find out the
secrets.
Taylor swift is looking directly at the
camera, and therefore the
audience, which provides the
audience with the feeling that she’s
trying to interact with them, and
makes her seem a much more
gracious character. Later on in the
magazine, it is implied from her
being the main image, that there
will be an article about her,
potentially an interview allowing
her fan base to get to know her
better, and so the image gives an
insight into the magazine’s
contents.

3. Brad Paisley, shown on the front cover is
wearing a cowboy hat which is a
stereotypical representation of country
music. This therefore is used to show the
music genre of the magazine.
On the cover of this magazine there is a
consistent white and black colour
scheme. The colour white is used to
symbolise the purity and the calmness
of country music.
The front page includes the titles of artists
inside the magazine in order to allow the
audience to know what the articles in the
magazine are going to be about.
Above the barcode on the front cover of a
Maverick magazine, it says “exclusive, free
magazine”. This idea of promoting their
magazine from the use of free give-aways
such as a demo CD is inventive because it is
more interesting to the audience to get
given something to listen to, rather than
just having to read about. This also means
that more people who are fans of country
music are more likely to buy this issue of
the magazine because the freebie makes it
all that bit more interesting
The colour black is used to symbolise
mystery. The fact that Brad Paisley is
wearing a black shirt that is open at the top,
symbolises that he will be opening up
about himself later on in the magazine. This
gives the reader an insight into the
magazine before actually even opening the
front page.
The sell line of the magazine says “the leading
independent country music magazine” which
makes the audience more likely to buy the
magazine because it is potentially the bets
music magazine.
Relating to this, Brad Paisley is holding a
guitar against his side. Guitars and
generically a symbol of country music,
however this is an electric guitar which is
stereotypically related to a different
music genre. This could give the audience
an insight into the article about Brad
Paisley as it could show that his new
music is a mash-up of different music
genres, or that he is trying to make
country music with a difference in order
to appeal to a larger target audience.
The strap line of this magazine is located at the bottom of the
magazine saying “embracing the best of country, folk, bluegrass
and roots music”. This strap line gives the reader an insight into
the contents of the magazine, as well as making the target
audience want to purchase the magazine because it contains
only the best.
There is a white box on the bottom right of the magazine front cover. This
white box contains information about the magazine used for informing the
audience what the magazine’s contents are. This is so without opening the
magazine itself the audience are able to tell what contents are included in
the magazine.
The fact that Brad Paisley has his hand
positioned in his pocket, suggests that he
is calm and comfortable. This would imply
to the readers that he is a more friendly
character who is going to speak the truth
to them because he seems comfortable.
Because he also seems relatively calm,
from his body language and facial
expressions reflects the genre of music.

4. The faded background of the magazine’s cover page includes trees and some. Fields are immediately associated with horses
which is associated with country as it is on the country side and since there are country girls on the front page, the
magazine is associated with country music.
On the top left corner of the magazine, it says “Nash Magazine” which is a
shortened version of Nashville. Nashville is the “home of country” which is
how the magazine is associated with country music.
The colour pink is used on the cover page. The colour pink is used to represent
friendship, harmony, and peace. The colour pink is also part of the red family
which is a regal colour This could be to symbolise that
The main title of this magazine cover “Country Girls” is immediately and
distinctly associated with country and western music. The fact that the
masthead is white, could also be in order to connote the purity of country
music, and because it stands out shows that the main features of the
magazine will include Maddie and Tae – the country girls.
The front page includes the titles of artists inside the magazine
in order to allow the audience to know what the articles in the
magazine are going to be about.
Maddie and Tae – the artists on the front cover are
positioned in front of the N for ‘Nash’, the name of the
magazine. This shows the audience that Maddie and Tae,
aka Country Girls, are the main focus of the magazine
front cover, because of their positioning.
Maddie and Tae, the artists on the front page of the magazine are
stereotypical looking country music artists, young girls with long blonde and
curly hair. This is an instant relation between the magazine’s front cover and
the music genre that it is suited to.
As there is a pink circle above Maddie and Tae on the front cover of the
magazine, it shows that this is what the company want the audience to focus
on. This suggests that it is the main feature in the magazine because it has it’s
own space and it positioned above the girls on the main image.

5. On this contents page there is not much text, but instead a large image of Kenny Chesney. This is so the audience of the magazine know what is
entailed in the magazine, so that they can choose what they want to read rather than having to read the whole magazine and losing interest.
However, there is little text and a large image to show that this issue of the magazine is mainly about this artist.
The content page includes the titles of articles inside the magazine in order to allow the audience
to know what the articles are about. Therefore the target audience are able to read what they
find to be interesting, rather than having to read articles that they find irrelevant or boring
depending on their likes and dislikes.
Kenny Chesney is the main image on the
contents page. Kenny Chesney is a big
country artist and therefore by looking at
the contents page the audience know that
Kenny Chesney is going to be featured in
the magazine, meaning his fans are more
likely going to want to read the magazine.
This contents page has the consistent
colour theme of shades of blue. The
colour blue is used to symbolise
calmness, as it is scientifically proven
that when humans look at the colour
blue the heart rate slows down. This is
directly linkable to country music as it
is known to be calming.
Kenny Chesney is wearing jeans in the
picture featured on this contents page.
Jeans are a generic symbolism of country
music as they are generally worn by
country and western music artists and so
are stereotypically linked with this
particular genre of music.
The font of this magazine contents page
is simplistic and formal. This is because
this is a contents page of a magazine
and not the front cover which needs to
draw the audience in in order to buy the
magazine. The contents page is
primarily for people to know where
everything is and what other features
are included in the magazine.
On this contents page, some of the
article titles are directly related to
country song lyrics. This allows the
audience to recognise their favourite
songs of the genre which is more likely
to gain their attention making them
want to read the article.

6. The page numbers of interesting features included in the magazine are all
down the side of the page on the right-hand side. The article about Gary Allan
is on page thirty and is big bold writing in order to stand out to the audience.
As it stands out from the rest of the contents page, it shows that this feature
is the main feature of the magazine.
The fact that Gary Allan is positioned with his hand in his
pocket, slouching against the wall suggests that he is calm
which relates to the country music genre, as the music is
generically calm and relaxing.
Gary Allan is slouching on the wooden wall in the background. The wooden
wall can be related to the wall of a barn, which is directly related to the
countryside, which links the image to the music genre.
The majority of the magazine contents page is taken up
by the image of Gary Allan. This portrays that he is an
important feature in the magazine.
The font of this magazine cover page is simplistic and formal rather than being
creative. This is because this is a contents page and not one that needs to draw
the audience in in order to buy. The front cover uses the bold, fancy, “in-your-face”
fonts in order to get readers to buy. The contents page is primarily for
people to know where everything is and what else is in the magazine.
Throughout this contents page there is a consistent colour theme of red,
black and white. These colours work together in order to get the audience
wanting to read the magazine. This is because the colour red creates a
sense of enigma and the colour black creates a sense of secretiveness, but
the white is a symbolism of purity which makes the audience want to read
the articles that have red titles, in order to solve the mystery as the colour
white shows that the feature it truthful.
The titles of each article are the names of popular music artists. This shows
to the audience that this magazine is full of professional music industry
people. This means that there will be an article for everyone in the audience
because if they don’t like Gary Allan, then they can instead read about
someone they do like, for example Laura Bell Bundy.
Gary Allan is wearing jeans and boots in the picture of him featured
on the contents page. Boots and jeans are a symbolism of country
music as they are generically worn by country and western music
artists and so are stereotypically linked with this particular genre of
music.

7. “Contents” is written in bold, and also in
white writing on a black background which
makes it stand out more. This ensures that
the audience know that this page is the
contents page.
On the contents page is the word
“Special” which is used because it
makes the reader feel as if the article is
particularly for them because it is
exclusive, and therefore makes them
more likely to buy the magazine.
A majority of space on this contents page is taken up by the use of an image. This image is of a
band called The Courteeners, the use of this images portrays that this particular band are the main
feature of the magazine. On the image there is also a white box stating the name of the band and
what the article is about. This white box makes the text stand out which also shows that the band
are the main feature of this particular magazine.
The sub-image is of a music artist
leaning against a pillar. Sub-images make
the text more interesting, and are a
good way for the audience to and out
what other features are going to be
included in the magazine, rather than
just the main feature.
On this magazine’s contents page it says
“Oasis Special” in gold lettering. This
makes it stand out from the rest of the
text on the contents page. This portrays
that this is a main feature of the magazine
because has been made to stand out and
be different from the rest of the contents
page. This suggests that the Oasis special
article is a key feature of the magazine,
and also that it is an exclusive article to
this magazine, which is because of the use
of wording. This shows that the Oasis
feature is the main selling point of this
magazine issue. The colour gold is also
used because it connotes the idea of
luxury and importance so this shows that
the magazine has respect for legendary
artists such as Oasis.
The font of this magazine contents page
is simplistic and formal rather than
being creative. This is because this is a
contents page and not one that needs
to draw the audience in in order to buy.
The front cover uses the bold, fancy, “in-your-
face” fonts in order to get readers
to buy. The contents page is primarily
for people to know where everything is
and what else is in the magazine.
The photo used is very dynamic and
features the band “The Courteeners” at
a top of a hill. It is taken at a slight low
angle and is a full length body shot,
giving the idea that they are strong and
powerful. The photo makes the
audience instantly respect them as
artists, because of their positioning and
how it is clear that we are supposed to
be looking up at them as some type of
idol. It also entices readers to learn
more about them because they are
seemingly strong and should be
respected.

8. The main image of this article is a medium shot of Trace Adkins who is the artist that
the article is about. The main image takes up a whole page. Trace Adkins isn't
looking directly at the camera, but as the magazine is an interview, it could
symbolise that he is talking directly to fans or the interviewer in the room. This
makes him a personable character rather than glancing at the camera which would
cause a different and potentially threatening look.
As Trace Adkins is
wearing a cowboy
hat, it symbolises the
country genre of
music as a cowboy
hat is a direct
representation of the
country and western
music genre.
At the top of the
image it says ‘fan
exclusive’ which is
appealing to the
audience as it makes
them feel special as
if the article is
specially for them
and not other
people. Therefore
more people are
going to be
attracted to reading
the article.
There is a consistent colour scheme
throughout this double page spread which
is green and white. This adds consistency
to the article and the colour green is
calming and natural which reflects upon
the music genre of the article.
The word ‘barred’
in the masthead of
this article is
bolder and thicker
than the rest of the
masthead
emphasising the
use of the word
suggesting that no
questions or
answers are
barred. It also
states in the sub-heading
that the
readers asked the
questions. This
makes the
audience more
impressed because
it means that the
answers and
questions are
truthful and not
phony.
The style of the font used for the masthead is blurred, and the words ‘fan exclusive’ are faded which is a connotation
used to suggest that his career has been successful and he has been around for along time as the text is deteriorating
and faded such as objects tend to do over time. However, the text is white suggesting the purity of his music and that he
isn’t stopping yet as the colours are bright – just like his future.

9. Carrie Underwood’s eye line is up and
looking out at the camera making it look
as if she is looking directly at the
magazine’s audience. This is called direct
address which entices the audience and
make them want to read the article.
The colour black shows status and power but when worn, the colour black generically symbolises
elegance and the secretiveness of the person wearing the colour, which in this case is Carrie
Underwood. The fact that she’s wearing black and is looking directly at the audience could suggest
that she’s opening up her secrets in this article about her. This entices the audience and makes
them want to read the article.
The background design for this magazine is dull and boring. This therefore means that the main
image of Carrie Underwood stands out giving the audience a good idea The magazine isn’t very word based, this of what the article is about.
means that the audience of this magazine
would be a younger audience because the
article isn’t word heavy, so people are less
likely to lose interest in reading the article.
The article’s background has a brown
pattern that looks like the branches of a
tree. Tree’s are a symbolism of the
countryside which is a direct reference to
country music, which shows the audience
what the article is about, giving them an
insight to the music genre.
This text and font of this double page
spread is simplistic and formal rather
than being overly creative. This is
because this is an article in the
magazine and not the front cover. The
double page spread article is used to
inform the reader about the artist that it
is advertising, and is not used to get
people to buy the magazine and
therefore does not need to have fancy
writing.
The title of this double page spread is “idol on Top” which gives the audience an insight into the magazine article. From this title and the main
image used it is clear that the article is about Carrie Underwood, who is clearly a respected country and western artist. This title suggests that
the article is going to be about her success as an artist, because the words “Idol on top” make the audience think of charts and being at the top.
This title therefore gives an insight into what the article is going to be about.

10. These images are included on the double page
spread in order to show which artists are
involved in the article. Each of the images has a
symbolism of country music, whether that item
of symbolism being the artist wearing a cowboy
hat, check shirt or having the countryside as the
background of the images.
The text is broken up by images in order
to be more interesting to the readers.
Most people prefer to see pictures in a
magazine that are relatable to the text,
and help to explain the meaning, rather
than having a great bulk of text to read.
The fact that the background of this magazine is
white makes the article stand out rather than just
fitting in with the magazine such as other double
page spreads normally do. This makes the article
more interesting whilst also portraying it’s
importance in the magazine.
This double page spread is very brightly coloured making it eye-catching to the
audience. It is clear that the target audience for this particular magazine is a
younger more youthful audience, than general country magazines which are
aimed at an older audience range. The fact that it’s colourful makes it appealing
to the eye and therefore this spread is more likely to get read than another
spread that is bland in its colour choice.
This magazine double page spread is about
the CMA Music Festival awards which are a
big country music event featuring popular
music artists. To portray that this is a big
country event that is very popular and
important to the artists, the wording is bold
and has various coloured lettering so that it
stands out making the article more appealing
to the audience.
In order to reflect upon the importance of
the awards, the CMA awards logo is
repeatedly positioned randomly
throughout the article in order to
emphasize the article’s importance being a
key feature in the magazine, as well as
advertising the importance of the music
awards festival.
The words “CMA Music Festival” are separated by text
and images on the double page spread, because it makes
it seem like there is less text because it is all broken up.
The less writing and the more images there are the more
interesting an article seems to be. Therefore a mix of
images and text are used to keep the audience engaged.