Introductory task 1

1. Initial
Introductory Task
1
Naomi Chopra

2. General Questions about
Music Magazines
Question 1: What is a Music Magazine?
Music magazines have the genre of music and the
denotation is of a collection images and material based on
that of music. Music consists of many different genres e.g.
Jazz, pop, rock. Music can cover either a Niche Market or a
target audience but it’s most likely to be a target audience
of the listeners to the genre of music in the magazine.
Gender targeted is usually both as music is mostly listened
by both genders no matter the genre, although certain
ethnicities can be as the genre music could originate from a
certain group e.g. bollywood – southern Asia

3. Question 2: What content would you expect to find in a
music magazine?
I would expect to see articles on new bands or rising
singers – this is because new groups and solo acts occur
all the time in every type of music genre and is bound to be
focused on. In addition you’re most likely to see news on
new albums released and further details on their name,
who they’re by and possibly reviews on them. New songs
and Singles may be mentioned within the magazine also.
Interviews may be conducted by the magazine with the
bands and singers probably titles as “exclusive interview
with…” as a cover line or main cover line. Most interviews
are with new comers, or come backs or legends or the
recent top hits.

4. Question 3: What Images would you expect to find in a
music magazine?
The most common image used, probably as a main image,
would be the actual band or singer to which the main cover
line links to. The demeanour of them would differ
depending on the genre of music the magazine is issuing.
For example a rock band may doing poses are emotions of
power and quirkiness, reggae artists chilled and in the
groove etc… Props may be involved – most likely
instruments that they band/singer is associated with.
Although its less likely, artists can be captured with
something associates with a song of there’s – something
from their music video perhaps. Other images may include
of the others involved in the music industry like producers
and managers – also images of album covers are
screenshots from a music video.

5. Question 4: General features of a music magazine?
• Price: Usually with the Barcode
• Masthead: Usually at the top and unique in every magazine.
• Images: and supplement images
• Straplines: highlighting key information
• Skyline: extra information at the top
• Lures: persuasion to read the magazine.
• Anchorage text
• Colour scheme: to give the magazine an identity
• Cover lines: main ones on the left
• Barcode
• Rule of thirds: applied to both cover and contents page
• Issue number: generally with the barcode and price
• Social media links
• Website mention
• Grab quotes: contents only – adds information

6. Questions about music
magazine front covers

7. Question 1: Features and characteristics they all have
( magazines on Page 7)
• They all have a main image which is centrally positioned
and they all have direct address incorporated – as the
models all look directly at the camera.
• All the main images are in front of the masthead – this is
because they’re all well known so can afford to obscure
part of the masthead as it still will be recognised.
• All the magazines have their cover lines positioned either
side of the main images. Although the mains ones are to
the left for conventional reasons
• All the magazines have the anchorage text of the models
name. “Kanye west”, “sarah chang”, “black veil brides” and
“Lily Allen”

8. Question 2: Why are the features important?
• The main images are vital for magazine as it tells the
audience straight away who the focus of the magazine is
and gives away what genre of music the magazine is.
• Direct address is also important as it makes the audience
feel more involved and welcome to the magazine
• The cover lines are very important as it hints to the
audience what’s inside and why they should read the
magazine. Having them either side the main image is more
effective as it gives the illusion that there’s more content.
• Having the model in front of the masthead shows that’s the
magazine is professional and well known and this
impresses the target audience.

9. Magazine looked at
for question 3 and 4

10. Question 3: Genre of A magazine
Kerrang:
I believe this is a rock concentrated magazine. One piece of
evidence is that the main image is of a rock group: black veil
brides. In addition the masthead this a cracked effect to it – which
is associated with rock as the intensity of the music is presumed
to crack objects. Also in one of the cover lines the word “metalica”
is used which is associated with rock. Also the make up and
costume denote they’re a rock band as the tattoos and leather
and intense use of use of eyeliner denote this. Also other rock
bands are mentioned in a strapline at the bottom “… all time low,
Lemmy…” Finally the colour scheme of the bright and dark colour
combination can represent rock as the genre itself covers the
highs and lows – in extreme ways- of life.

11. Question 4: Who is the target audience?
Evidently the target audience of Kerrang in general who be
fans of the genre ‘rock’ a variety of rock but mainly alternative
rock. I believe this as the bands and artists mentioned ad
focused on are ones who produce rock music and rock fan
must be targeted. In addition, because this is a Halloween
special issue perhaps Halloween celebrators are more
targeted in this issue as the focus is on the event Halloween
as well as the artists of rock. I believe the age range isn’t
particular focused upon one group but if it was I’d say
teenagers onto young adults as the bands themselves are
current and older rock lovers may be more interested in older
rock bands than recent. Both genders are targeted as signs
like colour – which is neutral – show that no particular gender
is being targeted.