Music Magazines

I like this magazine because they follow a loose layout theme. They both have the same masthead, a main image of a band, who are not smiling which shows they are serious about their music, with a large main cover line naming the band, insets and cover lines. The positioning differs and they may or may not have a selling line. The similarities identify.

the magazine but the differences makes them individual issues. I also like the use of a medium close-up main image with some band members under the masthead and others over it, which shows the magazine is confident enough with itself that it has a large enough audience who know what it is. This makes them stand out. I think this magazine is aimed at teenagers interested in the rock scene. The bands are primarily rock and it usually offers free posters.

Total Average Net Circulation Per Issue: 43,253 (weekly)

I like this magazine for its simplicity. It has a red, white and black colour scheme with no fuss. I like the use of a full-length wide shot. It is very striking with the dark colours against the white background. Most of it is arranged straight except for review cover line on the bottom right corner which brings it out a bit. This magazine seems aimed at the rock/indie scene, because of the choice of bands, and adults rather than teenagers because it is more grown up with the simple, serious colours and straight layout.

Total Average Net Circulation Per Issue: 100,172 (monthly)

I like this magazine for its strange use of colour. It uses the contrasting green and yellow for the fonts and the main image is a soft blue. The main image is slightly distorted which makes it interesting to look at because it isn’t quite obvious what is wrong with it at the first glance though you know something is odd about it.The magazine is just interesting to look at because it is very individual. Some of the bands on the cover are less well known as well.This magazine is definitely and obviously aimed for the rock scene and teenagers because of the fun colours, the free posters and the type of bands on the cover.

Total Average Net Circulation Per Issue: 20,011 (monthly). ‘Rock Sound’ has a comparatively low selling rate to ‘Kerrang’ and ‘Q’ perhaps because of its lower profile.

I like this magazine because it is quite striking how it just seems to completely disregard the left third. Apart from the masthead, everything is scattered all over the cover.Unlike the other magazines, and its usual issues, this issue has a main image which isn’t studio shot but taken at live gigs. From the issues shown it can be seen that ‘NME’ covers a variety of musical styles, but generally Indie/Rock. I think it is aimed at young adults because it looks more sophisticated than magazines like ‘Kerrang’.

Total Average Net Circulation Per Issue: 40,948 (weekly). This is on par with ‘Kerrang’ and ‘Q’ which shows it is a popular and widely read magazine.