Double Page Spread Analysis

The double page spread for NME magazine follows general layout conventions as the main image takes up the entire second half of the double page spread and the text is put on the left hand side of the double page spread. This issues double page spread looks similar to other NME double page spreads as the design is similar. This maintains brand identity as you would see the double page spread and instantly recognise that it was from an NME magazine. This causes the audience to want to buy the magazine to read the article. You can tell that this is a distinctive NME double page spread through the colour scheme, layout and font used in the text.

The title of this double page spread is “WE WANT KINGS OF LEON’S CAREER” and this suggests that the article will include information on how famous the band ‘White Lies’ want to become. The headline is also underlined in bold and this could be so it stands out more and there is more emphasis on it. This suggests that the band are determined to be successful and this draws the audience in as it is the largest piece of text on the double page spread and it catches the audience’s eye immediately and makes them want to read on. This title will also draw in fans of Kings of Leon as they are more popular than the White Lies.

The mode of address of the title is both demanding and convincing as it convinces the audience of how much the band ‘White Lies’ want to be famous and have successful

careers as they refer to the band Kings of Leon. The font used is a sans-serif font in large, black, bold letters and it is presented in a towards the top left hand corner of the double page spread. There is only one main image used on this double page spread; it is a picture of the band ‘White Lies’ who the article is about. The band is being represented as dark and mysterious as they are in a room that has low lighting but is just being brightened by two stage lights. They have also been put in clothes that have dark colours and they are spread out among the frame.

The image is placed covering a fraction of the first half of the double page spread and the entire second half. This image will be used to draw in the audience as they would see the picture and recognise the Indie Rock band in it and if they are fans of the band they will want to read the article to find out how they feature in it. The caption underneath the image says “The dark stars that make up White Lies”. The mode of address used is casual and friendly, it refers to the Indie Rock genre and it would mean that the audience of the magazine understands what they are saying by referring to ‘the dark stars’. It could also refer to a song that they perform which could be why the audience recognise the phrase.

The facial expressions of all of the members of the band in the main image are quite hard and almost sinister with the main member in the foreground having a shadow cast along his face. Their body language is quite rigid as they all stand straight and this could hint to the fact that their music is also straight to the point and harsh. Their costumes fit the Indie Rock image as they wearing dark colours that almost make them fade into the background. The fact that in the main image they are only being lit up by spotlights and the rest of the frame is in darkness could mean that they only want to be recognised for their music and nothing else.

The body copy on the double page spread is both an article and an interview as it starts off with describing the setting of the ’02 Academy Brixton’ and what is going on inside the building. After it becomes an interview with the band ‘White Lies’ and the interviewer asks them about their plans for their upcoming gig. The text is presented in two columns in the bottom left hand corner of the double page spread and the artists are being presented as ‘rock star rebels’ as the article says that you would assume that they would be ‘discussing their favourite shade of black’ or ‘sipping tequila’.

The target audience would find the information interesting as they would want to know what their favourite band did behind the scenes or before a gig. It would draw them in as they would want to find out from the artists themselves what their ‘pre-stage rituals’ are. The target audience would find this appealing as they might want to copy the rituals themselves.

The other text on the double page spread is the preview on what the article is going to be about (the standfirst). This is used to make the article more appealing as the audience would read it first before going to the main body of text and this would excite them more

and make them more enthusiastic to read it. The text is presented in a simple serif font with the words alternating between the colours purple and black as it is purple when someone’s name is mentioned. The mode of address is humorous as it refers to the band ‘White Lies’ as if they were secret spies by saying what their ‘mission’ and ‘message’ is to the fans. The standfirst encourages the audience to read on as if they enjoy the preview they will want to read the entire article so that they could learn more information.

The colour scheme of this double page spread is purple, black and a muted blue. The colours are generally darker colours and this suggests that the artist is edgy and a punk rocker. This also suggests that the audience are fans of the rock side to Indie Rock music. The colours are used to maintain brand identity as they are probably used consistently throughout the NME magazine and on the front cover. The fonts and typefaces that feature in the double page spread are a large, bold, sans-serif font in black and a smaller, simple serif font in black. The sans-serif font gives the effect of seriousness and it makes the audience pay attention to it and the serif font gives it a more professional look that the magazine needs. Some words on the double page spread are put in purple whereas all of the others are in black, this could be so they stand out and they want the audience to pay attention to them. The fonts and typefaces do maintain brand identity as they would be used throughout the magazine on other articles to create the same effect and on the front cover and contents page.