Analysis of 5 music magazine front covers

1. The colour scheme
of this particular
issue differs from
The masterhead on this magazine has got a shattered effect to set the tone of the the usual one by
magazine and connoting what it is about; the fact it’s shattered suggests that a loud using gold and
noise has broken it advertising it is a rock magazine, it is also written in capital letters white. These
and has a ! after it. This again shows that it’s a rock magazine because it suggests power, colours are often
loudness or even anger. This font combined with the black writing on a (mainly) white associated with
background really makes the masterhead stand out. wealth or luxury,
and as a result, the
The main image takes up a magazine tries to
lot of the page. Like the text advertise this issue
used, the picture takes up a as being particularly
lot of the page in an attempt good or even a
to advertise the main story privilege to own.
and attract potential These colours are
readers. Interestingly, only also used on the
the middle band member text to advertise the
has been placed in front of band on the cover.
the masterhead. This draws By having such a
attention to him over the high profile band on
other two suggesting he’s the cover the texts
the lead singer and more needs to be fitting,
important. By emphasising but more
the man, the issue is more importantly
likely to generate interest advertise to
than if they had say the potential readers
drummer at the front and what the main
middle. The fact the lead article of the issue is
singer has his hand on his so they would be
heart could suggest he is more likely to buy
passionate about music, it. A gold strip is
appealing to readers to who also used to
music is an essential part of advertise the other
their life and as a result the main article again,
magazine directly involves to attract interests
The layout here is also important; the designers need to
the reader. and draw attention
be sure that the reader knows what is in the issue easily
to the cover.
and quickly so as not to alienate them. Because of the
relatively small amount of text and the size of the
important parts, the cover fits this criteria (see the cyan
line curving around the page showing where the reader
looks when the first see the cover). Straight away by
looking at the masterhead, the reader can guess what
the magazine is about and then looking at the picture
and caption what the reader finds out what is in the
issue within a matter of seconds.

2. The buzz word looks more like a sticker because
The masterhead on this cover takes up relatively little space on everything else on the cover is square but this is in a
in the magazine; it’s almost hidden away and covered by the circle. Because it looks like the sticker, it suggests that
picture. This could be in an attempt to suggest to the readers it was added at the last minute in turn suggesting that
that music is more important than the magazine almost saying it wasn’t planned (Like it’s saying “oh, and more
the most important thing is what the magazine is about not thing”). As it doesn’t fit with the rest of the page, the
generate profit. Like the Kerrang magazine, the creators are reader’s attention is drawn to it. The “FREE!” on its
trying to appeal directly to their potential audience, by own would also generate interest because the reader
connoting that they (the magazine) is passionate about music would want to know what they could get and if they
and that is one of if not the most important aspect of life. are interested will obviously buy the magazine.
The other cover The most interesting aspect of
lines going along the this cover it the photo; it
left side of the page takes near three quarter of
are also placed the page and is (obviously)
there with the edited to show the artist’s
intent to generate band in an explosion in his
interest in the issue own mouth. This is used as a
by advertising the ploy to get the reader
main articles are wondering why the magazine
about (relatively) has done this, in turn enticing
high profile bands in the reader to buy it to try and
an attempt to find out why Q have done this
attract fans of the to the photo. As the orange
bands. If the reader in the flames doesn’t conform
isn’t a fan of either to the colour scheme, it is
of the bands, they likely that the issue will stand
could still be out on the shelf when it is on
tempted to buy the sale.
issue because of the
tag lines. “Sex, drugs The main cover line below the
and golf in LA” picture attracts a lot of
makes the reader attention in two ways. Firstly
want to know more the only white and red text on
detail and see if the dark background
there are pictures physically stands out drawing
(not of the sex) but attention to what is says.
of the anarchy the Secondly, what it actually
band is causing. says: “This will kill me!” is a
Similarly, “He’s very strong statement and as
back… He’s a result the reader would
funnier!” will want to know what will kill
intrigue the reader him and how it would do so.
because they would
want to either judge
for themselves if
he’s funnier or find
out how he is
funnier.

3. This particular issue puts a lot of emphasis on the (2011) Reading The main image on this issue is quite serious, and
and Leeds festivals (see the green circles). This is because NME almost suggests power through the artist’s
know that a majority of their readers go/ want to go to festivals. expression and the position of his hands. This in
By advertising the magazine’s connection to the hugely popular turn could attract interest because potential
festivals, they would appeal to a huge proportion of their target readers would want to know (if they didn’t know
market. Chances are that the readers will be desperate to know already) who it is and why he is portrayed as
the line-up because it is the most important part of the powerful or important. His hands also give the
weekend. By offering readers the line-up, it’s possible the reader impression that he wants to get down to business
would by the issue just to know the line-up. again suggesting he’s serious about his work.
The smaller pictures on The cover line on the
left hand side are also right hand side and
likely to appeal to the bottom are written in
audience. Because of alternate white and
the low angle they red text. This makes
were taken from the writing stand out
combined with the on the dark
lighting behind the background (except
performers and the for the white text on
fact they all have the artist’s hand) but
microphones implies also makes it easy for
they’re all on stage. the reader to see
Although it wouldn’t when one act ends
be the Reading or and the other begins.
Leeds festival, it’s still The red + literally
a live performance means “plus” and
which will appeal to “and” but also stands
the festival going out and will draw
readers. They (unlike attention to the area;
the main image) set it literally says to the
the tone for the reader “start here”
magazine and and automatically the
implicate what the reader would read the
issue is about. list of acts performing
at the two festivals.
The tag lines are also going to generate interest and hook the reader through the use of
bold/outrageous statements. “I od’d on animal tranquilizer” is a shocking thing and as a
result the readers would what to know the details and would buy the issue to find them.
Similarity, “say hello to music’s odd future” is likely to make someone buy the issue because
they would want to know things like how it’s odd and who Tyler the creator actually is.

4. By advertising this conference, they allow the readers a change to gain
access to an event that would appeal to them; readers would want to
the issue to find out how to register. They also make sure the read
knows about it by printing it in bright yellow capital letters.
The cover lines On this issue of the
here aren’t magazine, the
particularly clear as background is quite
to what they are dark and/or faded,
about; for example this is because it
when the makes the red hair
consumer sees and lips of the singer
“Bull on Parade, really stand out
they possibly which draws
wouldn’t know attention to the
who or what was issue when it’s on
“on parade” the shelf.
because they don’t
know that bull was
short for Pitbull
until the read the
tag line, which they
have only read as a
result of seeing the
cover line. The
cover line then
intrigues the
reader, enticing
them to read on
and buy the issue.
After reading this tag line, readers (in
particular her fans) would want to know
what she’s like and why/ how there were
wrong about her; by making this
statement, the reader could disagree and
possibly be outraged and so would by the
issue to find out. Alternatively, they may
take a different attitude, and be more
curious than angered, but either way, the
quote attracts attention and would make
people more likely to buy the issue.

5. This buzz word attracts a lot
of attention and implies
The name “Vibe” is used to try and suggest that the that this is the best rap
magazine is cool and keeps touch with the reader’s magazine by adverting itself
feelings, appealing to them directly. The style of the as “the real rap issue”
Like the main image, the masterhead itself is quite cool, as the red to black suggesting that this is the
main cover line is very fade almost has a neon light effect. only reliable rap magazine.
serious but also
scandalous because it
The seriousness of the
lists prescription drugs
main image sets the
followed by “I literally
tone of the magazine,
almost died” and as a
result the reader would connoting that the
content won’t
want to know the
necessarily be exciting,
connection between the
drugs and how he nearly but it is
honestand/orimportant
died. They would also
. Because this image
want to know what
goes against the
drove him to them.
personality of this
particular artist,
Here, the magazine
readers would want to
advertises a countdown
know why he looks how
of the “50 hottest rap
he does in the photo
blogs”. Because it’s a
and would be more
countdown, readers
likely to buy it.
would want to know if
their favourite acts have The font on the
fared well or made the magazine is used to
list at all and if they draw attention to the
haven’t, they would want articles of the
to know who the magazine; the biggest
magazine ranked higher acts in the issue that
and why. are more likely to
appeal to the widest
fan base are in the
Here, the magazine directly involves the reader biggest font such as “Lil
by offering them something; in this case a Wayne, Kanye West,
chance to have their say about something that Jay-Z & T.I.” whereas
the feel passionate about and as a result they the smaller acts are in
are likely to buy the issue to find out how to get smaller fonts. With the
involved. biggest act is advertised
in red and the biggest
font on the cover
(except the
masterhead). This is to
try and attract as many
people to the magazine
as possible so they are
more likely to buy the
issue.