The document analyzes the front covers of three music magazines: NME, Kerrang!, and Big Cheese. [1] The covers use images of popular artists and bands to attract their target audiences of music fans in their late teens and early 20s. [2] Color schemes, design elements, and taglines about interviews and exclusive content are also used to engage readers interested in popular music genres. [3] The magazines have been published since the 1950s-1990s and target audiences ranging from general music fans to specific rock and alternative music enthusiasts.

1. Analysis of magazine front covers
Cover 1.NME Sept 2009
Dizzee Rascal Edition

2. The masthead is
recognisable and fits FRONT COVER ANALYSIS
the main colour
scheme of red & The main image is of an
black artist that people who
are familiar with popular
music will be familiar
with.
Colourful background.
Spray painted walls The main cover line, naming
show the kind of the artist in the image as the
people who may like main feature of the magazine.
the artist in the picture.
Pull quote. This
engages the
reader by
Barcode-
revealing part of
date/issue/price. This is
what the person
compulsory on every
said in their
magazine.
interview

3. TARGET AUDIENCE OF THIS MAGAZINE
The target audience for
NME magazine would be
anybody into popular METHODS USED TO ATTRACT
music of the time. This is THIS TARGET AUDIENCE ARE:
shown through the use of
popular artists in the - Main image
“starring” section and the
use of a popular artist as
- Tour information
the main image. The
music interests of the T.A
- Colours of background
would generally be
anything from indie to
pop music. The gender it
is tailored to is not
specific, as the colours
seem neutral to both
sexes and the music cant
also be for both sexes
interest. They would
probably be in their late
teens/ early 20s. It is not
a very cheap magazine
but it doesn’t cost a lot,
so this is probably for
working class upwards. -

4. STRETCH AND CHALLENGE
ACTIVITY-
USE THE HYPERLINK FOR DIRECT ACCESS TO NME
http://www.nme.com/magazine
It is a music magazine
that talks about recent
music and upcoming
events.
NME started in 1952 as a • The target audience is
music newspaper, but people who are up to date
gradually became a with popular music and want
magazine, changing from to know what’s happening
newsprint in 1998. with their favourite artists.

5. Analysis of magazine front
covers
Cover 2. Kerrang! April 2010

6. Recognisabl
e masthead.
The main image is
White
that of a popular
colour
band within this
stands out
music scene. Their
of the page
style (hair, tattoos
on the black
etc) show their
background.
association with
Black could
the hardcore
represent
scene.
dark times
are behind
them. Pull quote.
Sell lines Reveals part of
appealing to the main interview
fans of the to draw in
bands readers.
mentioned.

7. TARGET AUDIENCE OF THIS MAGAZINE
The target audience
for Kerrang!
Magazine would METHODS USED TO ATTRACT
most likely be THIS TARGET AUDIENCE ARE:
teenagers looking for - Main image
information and
-Sell lines
interviews with their
favourite bands. The -“Exclusive”
typical genre -“WIN”
included in the
magazine is rock,
but it varies from
indie rock to
hardcore metal. Both
sexes would enjoy
this as musical is
universal. The price
of the magazine is
only £2.20 so it is
affordable for any -
class of people.

8. It is published by
STRETCH AND CHALLENGE
Bauer music group.
Kerrang! Started in 1981 ACTIVITY
as a one-off supplement in
the Sounds newspaper. Target audience of people
who want to know about
the latest, and future, rock
music and live events.
Below is the first ever
, published Kerrang!
z ine
ga a
y ma on
nthl ear 7 it
a mo app 198
d as an to nd in
che beg sis a
un ng! ba
La rra tly y
Ke tnigh eekl
for nt w
we

9. Analysis of magazine front
covers
Cover 3. Big Cheese magazine
February 2011.

10. Masthead
name and
colour is very
recognisable.
Very popular
band for the
“Essential
main image.
bands” showing
Draws in fans.
that the
magazine is a
must have.
Other popular
bands cutting
across the
“PLUS” page
sounds like
something
extra added

11. TARGET AUDIENCE OF THIS MAGAZINE
The target audience
for ‘Big Cheese’
METHODS USED TO ATTRACT
magazine will be THIS TARGET AUDIENCE ARE:
mostly teenagers of
both sexes. They will - Main image
also be fans of -Sell lines
alternative/ heavy
music. They will look to -“PLUS”
this magazine for -“Essential bands”
reviews, information
and upcoming events.
The magazine will be
about £4 so pretty
expensive for a
magazine of it’s kind.
-

12. Big Cheese magazine started in
1996.
It is published by Big Cheese
Publishing Ltd.
They were the first magazine to
feature the likes of My Chemical
Romance and Alexisonfire.
The target audience is anybody
interested in alternative, new
music. Usually within the rock
genre though.