2. • On the front cover the font of the masthead and the ‘music banned’
cover line is incredibly similar and different to other music magazine
fonts (indie) but it stands out and is quite hard looking (rock). This in
house font creates a type of slug for the magazine making it familiar to
the audience the more they see it.
• The 2 artists could be connected with the ‘music banned’ cover line in
that they are Connor and Joe which is later confirmed in the double
page spread (which also includes this font). They’re pointing the
guitars at the camera – suggests they’re coming for you and
emphasizes the direct mode of address which magazines like to
accentuate.
• All the cover lines form a slight lexical cohesion in that all the bands
included are indie rock which fits the theme of the magazine and links
to the intended target audience.
• The relaxed fonts, casual attire of the artists (models) and low pricing
of the magazine suggests quite a low psychographic (e.g. C class)
which could allow the younger demographic relate to this as they
usually lack money – don’t have a job.
• This magazine challenges most of the codes and conventions of most
(mainstream) music magazines but it’s proven that ‘Q’ and ‘Kerrang’
are still popular because they still appeal to a niche market.
3. Front coverMasthead – big and bold –
stands out. Similar to other
magazines as it goes all the
way across the top.
‘MUSIC BANNED’ - monthly
cover line – most important –
other magazines have their
most important cover line
(story) near the top under the
masthead – left third.
Exclusive – the tag makes the
audience feel special as
they’re hearing the story first –
good connotations towards
magazine – best stories.
A Smith’s lyric is used from
their song ‘How Soon is now’
which links to the narrative of
the cover line and is familiar
for Smith’s fans.
Jamie Laing – Made In Chelsea (popular with young target
audience) – want to know facts from behind the series.
Barcode – institutional –
allows people to purchase
in shops.
The 20% off cover line allows the
audience to save money on something
which most magazines do as it entices
the reader to find out.
Direct mode of address
Background – challenges
codes and conventions – more
natural and indie – links to
genre.
‘November’ – suggests
monthly magazine and cheaper
than normal music magazines
– more convenient for younger
audiences – target audience.
Red hot chili peppers in a fiery
font (chili) followed by the
reading logo – familiar festival
for younger audience.
Plug – looks like the sun in the
sky (discourse). ‘Secret gigs’ –
appeal to indie people as they
like to be different – unknown
artists.
The song of the month updates
the reader on what’s good with
a skate park picture in the
background – cool hip
connotations.
Typography – all different
fonts and colours – indie
4. Contents pageThere is an ongoing theme of
the colour burgundy
throughout this page which fits
in well with the natural colours
of the background picture.
Also, black is the usual
contents page main colour –
different (indie genre).
The titles in the contents
include all of the cover lines on
the front cover – most
important and easy to find.
Music banned is in capitals
(most important) and has a
picture next to it – confirm who
the article is about.
Well known bands and artists
have been included (Beatles
and Dave Grohl) which shows
the current institution – other
magazines include bands that
link to the genre.
Website link – similar to most other music magazines – allows
audience to buy an issue online or make a subscription.
Faye Masterson story on its
own (important) – following
conventions by having a
story dotted around – breaks
up the text.
3 pictures at the bottom
relate to the indie rock genre
of music – Joe and Connor’s
instruments – famous and
iconic. It also suggests that
the magazine focuses more
on the music not the image
(niche).
Natural background picture
(indie) – goes against codes
and conventions of plain
white background – more
interesting and niche.
Model not looking at camera –
implies he doesn’t care about
the image – more into the
music. He is looking into the
sun – looking into his bright
future.
Low opacity white box behind ‘contents’
– similar to other codes and conventions
– makes it stand out.
5. Double Page Spread
The pictures
include both the
artists to give a
sense of unity
and friendship,
which emphasize
the fact they’re
coming together.
Typography –
big and bold in
the centre of the
page – makes it
stand out. The
red and yellow
fit nicely with
the colour
scheme of the
pictures. The
article font is
American
Typewrite which
is quite indie
and old
fashioned –
relates to the
genre of their
music.
The pictures
don’t show a
clear shot of the
artists’ faces –
suggests they’re
not in it for the
fame but in it for
the music.
The “no longer ‘indie’pendent” column
talks about Connor as an artist and it the
title shows how he is from the indie genre
but now he’s moving onto to different areas
of music.
The links will appeal to a
younger audience as there more
likely to be on the internet to
subscribe to the magazine or find
out more about the artists.
The
“hard’rock’life”
column is solely
focused around
Joe and the rock
genre. The
heading is a play
on phrase with
the musical
Annie - around
when the target
audience
would’ve
watched it – more
interesting.
The last column talks about the 2 artists coming together
which links to them both in all the pictures.