These are examples of a typical music magazine front cover. I have selected these in particular as I would like to see the differences and similarities between them therefore regarding which content is aimed at which age group. NME, Kerrang and Q all feature an indie/rock artist or band which appeals to the older teenager and younger adult audience as well as being unisex. NME has gone for an innocent and pure main image of Florence Welch which reflects her music whereas Kerrang has gone for a aggressive, crowded main image of Biffy Clyro and Q has a sci-fi, futuristic version of Liam Gallagher which could represent the regeneration of his new group. All these magazines aim at the same target audience however have used a different way to present them, I think this is because they are trying to represent that particular artists or bands fans. Rolling Stone and VIBE have an R&B, Rap artist featured on their front cover, both with their tops off showing their unique tattoos and muscles. Both facial expressions in both the main images are strong, connecting with the reader. These two magazines again are appealing to the older teenager and younger adult and also both being unisex. Top of the Pops is a completely different magazine, it appeals to the younger teenager, mainly aiming around 13 year old girls as the front cover is mostly glitter pink with strong girl artists being the main feature. It also includes celebrity gossip which none of the others offer. Unlike the other music magazines that keep their text to the sell lines, Top of the Pops has decided to situate text over the artist which will make the reader notice the information.
From this information I have decided to create a more sophisticated music magazine aiming at the older teenager and younger adult. Also I am going to include some of the main features that these magazines have included as well as take note of the main images for when it comes to taking my original shots for my music magazine.
These are typical music magazine contents pages. I am going to be looking at the differences and similarities regarding the different magazines and this will eventually help me with constructing my own music magazine contents page. As stated above Kerrang, NME and Q all have similar layouts such as a drop down menu mentioning all the pages listed to which article as well as a main feature of a band and a little paragraph about what their feature or interview will contain. Kerrang and NME also offer a subscription and competition puff within their contents page which will grab the attention of the reader. As these three have the same layout it could be due to the fact that their target audience is the same. Rolling Stones contents page is similar to Kerrang, NME and Q however have decided to go with a smaller drop down menu, therefore not including all the pages in the magazine. They have also choose a bigger picture which represents history of music relating it to todays reminding us of how it first started which could be interesting for the reader as they may not have known this information. Vibe has gone for a minimalistic contents page with an image taking up most of it. It emphasis the main feature of Kanye West which attracts the reader to that particular artist. A small drop down menu is situated to the side which only contains a few of the pages in the magazine, leaving the rest of the articles to be discovered. Finally, like before Top of the Pops has a very different style to the rest of the magazines, it has a picture of the front cover, labeling the sell line information to their pages making it easier for the reader to locate where they want to go. It has many drop down menus which are split into different topics around the magazine for example 'We love to shop' which none of the other magazines offer. This could be effective as the reader maybe looking for a specific article or topic which they can identity easily in the correct category. All the colours are bright pinks and yellows which appeals to young girls, attracting their attention and keeping them interested.
From what I have found out from the magazine contents pages, I have decided to include a drop down menu with most of the pages allocated an article but will not include all of them incorporating VIBE's idea of leaving some articles to be discovered alongside a large image or an artist with a little information about the double page spread. I may also include a puff about subscription or a competition being held.
These are typical music magazine double page speads. I am going to be looking at the differences and similarities regarding the different magazines and this will help me when it comes to constructing my own music magazine double page spread. All the magazines have interpreted their double page spread differently, especially the main photo. Top of the Pops who features Justin Bieber and Vibe who features Solange Knowles both have gone for main images where the artist is seen differently, the magazines have taken their own photo shoots and made the artists look fun and never seen before in this particular style therefore this attracts attention the readers as they have now seen the artist in a new light. Top of the Pops is the only music magazine that has gone for an interview with its artist for the double page spread. Q magazine featuring Jay-Z and Kerrang featuring My Chemical Romance have their main image taking up half the double page spread with Q opting for the whole other side of the page describing their meeting with Jay-Z and his future and present plans whereas Kerrang have a short article on MCR where they tell us about talking to the band members on the next steps in the music industry they will take. Rolling Stones magazines and NME both have their main picture taking up two thirds of the pages. Rolling stones have continued with their sophisticated style featuring Adele looking very classic and as an independent, dominating female. The short article next to the main image is about Adele's inspirations, looks and stage fright, the audience are getting an insight into the artists life, what is it really like to stand in front of millions of people and perform this makes the audience connect with Adele. The NME took a risk with introducing The Vaccines as their double page spread, their article talks about how the band have only been together a short while yet have already made a huge mark on the music scene, this tells readers that NME are always on the lookout for up and coming bands and are prepared to use them as the main feature for the audience. The audience will enjoy reading about a new band especially in the genre they already enjoy listening to.
From what I have found out from researching these double page spreads is that my main image will take up at least one page and that most magazines don't use an interview but prefer to make a summary of the actual day which I think I am also going to do.
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