This document summarizes and analyzes the signs and signifiers used in music magazine covers and contents pages for rock magazines. It discusses the symbolic and iconic signs used in images, colors, layouts and typography that help identify the magazines' target audiences and convey the aggressive nature of the rock genre. Key conventions highlighted include dark color palettes, close-up band images with intense facial expressions, and informal sans-serif fonts. The summaries provide an overview of how different magazines employ signs and styles to represent rock music for diverse audiences.

1. MUSIC MAGAZINES
Signs & signifiers Analysis
By
Matthew Rimmington

2. Introduction
• For my Music Magazine, I have chosen the genre of Rock.
The genre has been around for a long time and was very
popular in the 70’s and has inspired current music artists to
include aspects of the genre in their music. So, in order to
convey my magazine to my target audience, I need to include
typography that stands out from other fonts as Rock can be
very abstract. I also need to include a dark and bland colour
palette (Red and Black) to connote Rock’s aggressive nature
that a lot of people associate the genre with. The images will
be dark and exaggerated as well, such as a close up of a
musical act showing a miserable face to suggest an
intimidating mood. These types of conventions make the
genre recognizable and make it easier to identify the target
audience.

3. FRONT COVERS
• Kerrang is one of the most popular modern rock
magazines, and a lot of genre conventions are included
on this front cover, as well different signs being used.
• The central image of Jared Leto, who is the lead singer
of the band ‘30 Seconds to Mars’, is an Indexical sign
because his posture and facial expressions suggest
that there is a meaning to the shot. The close up and
his facial expressions suggest a daunting mood, which
suggests an aggressive atmosphere, which is what a lot
of rock fans look for in that genre of music.. The quote ‘I
could be your worst enemy’ reinforces this idea and is
an anchorage as it relates to Leto’s facial expression.
The dark clothing emphasizes this impression more as
well. Leto doesn't appear to wear any makeup, which
suggests that the article is up-close and personal and
he has nothing to hide, which is hinted at in the caption
‘Jared Leto’s dark side exposed!’

4. The secondary images are all shots of the other rock acts that are mentioned in this
issue. These stress the magazines emphasis on rock and it’s connections with
popular and successful acts. Which makes the company more trustworthy.
The typography used is a symbolic sign. The main cover line which uses the bands
logo is presented in the same font but shown in red so it blends in with the front
covers dark and bland colour palette. The imitation of the band’s logo makes it
easily recognizable to the fans, which therefore makes it a symbolic sign. The
majority of the other text used is iconic because it directly tells the reader what they
will get if they buy the magazine. The Masthead is much more eye-catching then
the other text used. The font and colour of the masthead is symbolic because the
logo for ‘Kerrang!’ is recognizable to people who read the magazine or listen to the
radio station. The ‘broken glass’ highlights rock’s combative and individual sound.
The majority of the typography uses a ‘Sans Serif’ font which emphasizes the
magazines informal element.
The preferred reading of this front cover is that the makers want to make rock
appear as a proud and strong music genre, hence Leto’s strong posture and his eye
contact with the reader. However, the oppositional reading is that readers may think
that the cover suggests quite a formal style of rock music, so it doesn’t associate
itself with artists such as Slipknot for example.

5. FRONT COVERS
This issue of ‘Rock Sound’ suggests that the magazines are for a
younger target audience, due to it’s brighter colours and
informal layout and typography.
The central image of the group ‘Fall Out Boy’ shows the group
giving direct contact to the reader. This is an indexical sign
because it suggests that the article about the group is intimate
and personal, making it appealing to the reader. The groups
clothes are dark which contrasts with the light blue
background, which makes the group stand out more. Whilst the
other members of the band appear quite intimidating, the main
band member appears interested and fascinated, which
suggests that the group has an interesting and mixed persona,
appealing to other aspects of the rock genre. However, the
main band member’s posture shows him leaning over, which
makes him appear imposing and intimidating. This is an iconic
sign because it is directly representing the ominous side to the
band.

6. • The layout of the cover is very informal. It uses a bright colour palette (blue, yellow)
but it also incorporates some dark colours, mainly around the bright secondary
cover lines, which makes them more eye-catching. The colours are iconic because
they represent a care free nature in terms of what the magazine includes. However,
the bright colours and the central images intimidating look gives a mixed message,
but this widens the target audience more.
• The typography is quite informal, which highlights the untroubled feel of the
magazine. The text is colourful and shown in bold fonts. The main cover line
doesn’t use the bands official logo, but it looks similar to the other text at the
bottom left of the cover, which emphasizes the rock genre. Therefore, it is an iconic
sign. The cover line is also shown in a bright yellow colour, in contrast with the
bands dark clothes, which makes it stand out. The masthead is presented in front
of the central image which makes the masthead eye-catching. Because it is
presented in a red colour, it reinforces the idea of the dark colours that are
associated with the rock genre (red, black) but it is presented in a lighter red, which
again highlights the positive and youthful atmosphere of the magazine.
• The preferred reading of this front cover is that the makers want to show a
magazine that has a lot to offer and is suited towards a wide arrange of people.
Also, the image of FOB looks quite ‘indie’ which could represent a theme of
originality. The oppositional reading is that the magazine is for a younger audience
due to it’s bright colours.

7. Contents page
• The contents page for this issue of
Kerrang appears quite detailed, Sharp
and not overcrowded with text, which
shows a more formal look, making the
magazine appear more sophisticated
and reliable in terms of its content.
• The top half of the page is mainly
covered by a large image of a man
playing am electric guitar, on his knees.
This image is both an iconic and
symbolic sign because it represents the
stereotypical image of bands playing at
live shows, but it is also recognised by
fans of rock and gigs. The camera angle
of the picture is at a low angle which
makes it appear as if the reader has
gained a front row seat, making it more
appealing.

8. • The bottom half of the contents page is made up of text and secondary
images. The magazine is broken down into sections and is clearly
shown due to the larger text being inside a black box, in contrast with
the white background. The text is an iconic sign as well as the puff/pug
at the bottom right which is representing an offer of the magazine. The
colours used are quite bland and simple, so the page doesn’t look too
colourful and/or informal. This is an iconic sign because it is generally
representing the articles the magazine has, but it also shows this in the
style that people associate the rock genre with.
• The preferred reading of this contents page is that rock is a very
enjoyable music genre because of the guitarist appears to be happy.
The oppositional reading of this is that readers may think its aggressive
due to the informal typography.

9. Contents page
• This contents page is simple,
straightforward and uncluttered.
This makes it easier for the reader
to understand what the magazine
includes.
• The image of Jacob Saddix shows
him using direct contact towards the
audience and he is putting on a
amusing face, which perhaps relates
to rock creative and unique side. His
facial expression contrasts with his
clothing and tattoos, which makes
him appear intimidating. The image
is both an iconic and symbolic sign.
It is an iconic sign because it simply
represents the artist, but it is also an
symbolic sign because his dark
colours and make up are symbolic of
rock.

10. • The typography on this contents page uses a sans serif font,
which usually suggests a informal style. Because the layout of
the text is informal but the layout of the page is formal, it is a
subvert use of text. The colour of the text is bland and not
colourful, very much like other rock magazines.
• The preferred reading of this front cover is that the stories in
this issue are very informative and in-depth due to the close
up shot and the formal layout. The oppositional reading is
that readers may think the magazine is unique due to it’s
unconventional layout.

11. Double Page Spreads
This double page spread
highly shows the codes and
conventions of the rock
genre.
The colour used on the
spread is very dark (black
background, red and purple
text) which is an symbolic
sign because the dark colours
are associated with the rock
genre, due to the
stereotypical idea that rock
music is aggressive.

12. • The central image of ‘The All American Rejects’ shows the band
bending over at a low camera angle. This perhaps suggests that the
band’s music is quite intimidating, but there clothes suggest that it
is quite creative and exciting at the same time. The image is a iconic
sign because it is representing the band and their style of music.
• The typography uses a sans serif font, so It is therefore informal,
but the text is presented in a sharp, clear style, so it is therefore a
subvert use of text.
• The preferred reading of this spread is that the band is very into the
concept of rock music (clothes, freedom of expression, etc.). The
oppositional reading is that readers will think that the band is very
expressive and unique and are quite into heavy metal music.

13. Double page spreads
This double page spread shows the central
image of ‘A Day of Remember’ taking up the
majority of the page, with text around the
edges of the page.
The central image of the band shows them
screaming at the camera, which
immediately suggests that there music is
energetic and upbeat, suggesting a younger
audience. The image is an iconic and
symbolic sign. It is iconic because it
represents the band, but it is also symbolic
because it is representing a young, active
audience.

14. • The spread uses a bland colour palette. The background is black
which is expected, and it is contrast with the white text, so it stands
out more.
• The typography on the spread looks quite like what people would
relate to an American high school. This suggests that the band is
American and that their music is suited towards a more younger
audience. The typography is a symbolic sign because the text is
representing the colours that people associate rock with.
• The preferred reading of this spread is that the page seems to
target a younger audience as the typography resembles an
American high school. The oppositional reading is that readers will
think that the style of rock shown on the spread is quite youthful
and carefree, very unlike the stereotypical portrayal of rock.