2. Background History of Kerrang
• It is a UK based magazine focusing on the rock
music genre
• Its first issue was published on the 6th June
1981
• Its publisher is Bauer Media Group and comes
out weekly.
• This magazine also links to the radio station
under the same name
3. Front Cover
Masthead
The masthead of the magazine (kerrang) is near
the top of the magazine cover. It covers the
whole width of the magazine suggesting that it
has a lot of importance. However, the
masthead is placed behind the image of the
main artists. This suggests that the magazine
doesn’t care about the ‘brand’/name of the
magazine but rather who is on the front to
attract the audience. Also the masthead is the
colour white. This stands out on the red
background of the image making the audience
slightly attracted to it.
Main Image
The main image is in the centre of the
magazine. This is used to draw the attention of
the reader directly to the main artists of the
magazine. The man in the middle is holding and
talking into megaphone. Around the image as a
whole there are sound waves. This and the
megaphone suggest that the magazine is quite
loud and vibrant and this reflects on the artist.
The artists are wearing all black except for the
one in the left third who is wearing white. The
all black suggests that the type of music that
they are aiming at/performing is quite punk
rock/gothic which suggests that this fits in with
the genre of music that the magazine targets.
Header
The header of the magazine shows the reader that the magazine is
offering all readers a set of posters. This attracts the reader as it
might be exclusive to the magazine and they may not be able to get
this set in any other magazine. This shows that the magazine is
giving readers a one off and this may attract theme to future issues
Flash
The flash on this magazine has been
used to give the reader details on a
competition they can take part in. This
will attract the readers to the
magazine because they could win
something exclusive to this particular
magazine that no other magazine can
offer.
Main cover line/Pull Quote
The main cover line of this magazine is the
band name ‘Sleeping with Sirens’. This will
attract dedicated fans to the magazine as
they will want to read about their
favourite band. The pull quote of the
magazine links with the image used on
the cover. The quote ‘Here to wake up
your town’ links with the megaphone and
the sound waves in the background again
suggesting the band has quite loud music
but also a loud personality. It’s placed
slightly in the left third in order to attract
people to the magazine.
Date/Barcode/Price
The barcode of the magazine is in the bottom
right of the magazine and is also very small.
This suggests that readers don’t buy the
magazine for the price but for who is on the
magazine.
Footer
The footer of this magazine shows all the
extras inside the magazine. This suggests that
the magazine has a lot of content and its
worth the money readers have to pay to buy
the magazine.
Left Third
The left third of this magazine includes things
that will attract the audience to the magazine
such as ‘secret albums’ etc
4. Contents Page
Masthead/Contents
The contents heading is in the top right hand
corner of the magazine page. It is in a black
bubble with white font which links with the
magazines overall theme and house style. The
bubble also includes the heading for the editorial.
The contents is in a big bubble meaning that the
reader is drawn to it.
Contents/Headings/Subheadings
The contents is shown in back tabs with yellow
writing. This makes it stand out on the blank white
page. The page numbers are in bright red whilst
the subheadings are also in black. These also
stand out on the page attracting the audience to
every article in the magazine.
Main Image
The main image on the contents page reflects the
artist in the front cover again showing that they
are the main article in the magazine. It also has a
large page number on the image as well to
indicate where the article with this band is in the
magazine.
There are also several smaller images dotted
around the page suggesting that these articles are
also quite important but not as interesting as the
main article.
Copy/Editorial
The editorial of the magazine is made by
the editor. It uses chatty, informal
language to attract the audience and
make them feel like they can connect to
the editor and therefore connect to the
magazine. Also the use of a hand
signature to sign the editorial off gives it a
personal touch that again attracts the
audience.
5. Double Page
Spread
Structure
The structure of the article is
a 4 column structure. This
depends on how the editor
wants the magazine to look.
Heading
There isn’t a heading on this
page of the article but there
is on the first page of the
spread. The heading missing
from this article means that
there is more space to
include interviews and
images of the band
attracting the reader to the
magazine again and again.
Main Image
The main image is part of both the
double page spreads. The
megaphone and the sound waves
is a constant theme throughout
the photoshoot. This again
suggests that the band is lous and
vibrant and appeals to a certain
age and genre (punk rock). The
other 4 members on the other
page have their fingers in their
ears whilst the other member
shouts into the megaphone. This
suggests that the one with the
megaphone is the leader of the
group whilst the other take a
backseat. The white background
with the purple columns and
sound waves helps the band
member stand out and draws the
attention of the reader to them.
SideImages
There are some images of the band running down the left hand side of the double page
spread. This allows the reader to get to know the band a little more and allows them to
connect more with the band. This attracts the reader as it makes them feel like they know
them a bit more personally and they will want to know if they are in the future issues
making the reader more loyal.
Byline
The byline is included on the page
so that the reader can know who
exactly wrote the article. This can
also mean that if the reader liked
their work they can look for some of
their other work.
6. Audience
• The magazine is targeted at both genders but
focuses on the teenage age bracket.
• To attract this audience, the magazine looks
unisex and the colours attract both genders.
Also the inclusion of posters attract teenagers
as this is something that links to teenagers
stereotypically (putting posters on their walls)
7. Links
• The elements that link the magazine together is
the:
• Text: The font used on the cover, contents and
double page spread keeps the magazines theme
and house style.
• Tone: The tone of the magazine is constant
throughout. Informal and chatty
• Colours: The text colours and the colours used in
the background of images is consistent and
carries on throughout.
