2. What is Genre?
Definition = A category of artistic composition, as in
music or literature, characterized by similarities in
form, style, or subject matter.
To me, genre is crucial in a music magazine; it not only
determines its readers, but is the main contributor to
the magazine’s brand.
The success of the magazine does not depend entirely
on its genre, but it does play a very important role
indeed.
3. Audience Pleasure
If a magazine supports a specific genre, then it
will subsequently attract a certain type of
reader.
For example, a Rock magazine may not be read
by someone who is a fan of classical music.
A fan of Country music will obviously not read
a magazine specialising in the genre of
Electronic.
4. Various Genres
There are a diverse range of genres out there, each
occupying different magazines.
Rock e.g. Rolling Stone
Pop e.g. Top of the Pops
Country e.g. Country Music
Hip Hop e.g. Vibe
Jazz e.g. Downbeat
5. Sub-genres
A sub-genre is something that takes influences from a
main genre and/or other sub-genres to create
something new but still has roots in one main genre.
For example, Rock is a main genre and ‘Metal’ is a subgenre as it takes influences from Rock, while creating
its own unique sound.
‘Pop-rock’ combines characteristics of both Pop and
Rock to develop a different sound.
6. How to recognise genres
At first, genres seem rather difficult to detect, however, there are
some dominant features that reveal them.
Image = A significant artist or band featuring on the front cover
will almost instantly inform the reader of the genre. A Rock band
will obviously suggest that the magazine focuses on that specific
genre.
Colour = The primary colours on a magazine front cover are
crucial. Dark, harsh colours will ultimately portray the magazine’s
genre; as will soft, bright shades.
