Analysis of Music Magazine 1- NME

Sophie

Background History of NME

• It is a weekly magazine which was first published in March 1952

• It first started as a music newspaper but by the 1980’s started to change into magazine format.

• It was the first British paper to include the singles charts and by the 70’s became the best selling British music newspaper.

• It is now the biggest standalone online music website with over 7 million users per month.

Front CoverMasthead

Main cover line

Pull Quote

Date/Barcode/Price

Header

The masthead of the magazine (NME) is on the top left and takes up half of the page width on the front cover. This is because the reader will be attracted to the magazine as the masthead will be noticeable on the newsstands. It is also part of the magic C meaning that it is important and part of the main information on the page. Also the masthead is in red suggesting that the magazine is vibrant and energetic inside.

The header of the front cover is also used to draw the required audience to the magazine. Also the the ’16 page’ part is part of the left third meaning that it will be visable on newsstands therefore attracting people to the magazine. The word ‘special’ used in the header suggests that it is unique to NME and will not be found in any other magazines. It also suggests that it is a one off so the audience need to buy that magazine otherwise they will not get it again.

The main cover line has a large font in order to attract and draw the audience into the magazine. It also is very noticeable due to the large, bold font covering ¾ width of the cover, again attracting readers.

The pull quote fits with the mise en scene of the main image. The pull quote draws the readers attention as they will want to know why it has been said and want to read the rest of the interview.

The barcode area of the cover is very small suggesting that the readers aren’t particularly interested in the price of the magazine but rather who is on the magazine. It also suggests that readers will look at the quality of the magazine rather than the price.

FlashThis has been used to show some of the ‘News’ inside of the magazine. Also the flash looks like it has been stamped onto the page suggesting that it is of importance and should be seen by the reader.

Main ImageThe main image of the artist Dizzee Rascal is used to draw the reader into the magazine. The image suggests the magazine and the artist are fun and exciting. It also shows the body language and the personality of the artist drawing the reader and fans of the artist into the magazine. His arms are stretched out which relates to the anchor/pull quote of the cover. By having his arms stretched out he is showing that he is holding the world, friendly and aims to spread joy. Dizzee Rascal is wearing laid back, casual clothing reflecting the tone of the magazine inside.

Footer

The footer shows all the other things included in the magazine. This suggests that the magazine is worth the amount the reader has to pay therefore encouraging them to buy the magazine.

Left Third

The left third (Magic C) is when all the important content on the cover is positioned on the left of the cover. This is so that the reader can see all the important/attractive important information when it is on newsstands.

Masthead/Contents

Band Index

Main Image

Drop Cap

Copy/Editorial

Subscription Box

Contents/Headings/Subheadings

Contents PageThis part of the contents page shows all the information of the bands/artists included in that particular issue. This suggests that NME takes its artists very seriously and wants to have them in the magazine.

The main image on the contents page is of a woman standing next to a tour bus. The styling on the woman is very indie and fits in with the genre of the magazine. Also the positioning of the photo (slightly slanted) suggests that although the magazine can be serious (band index) there can be an informal/friendly tone as well. The main image and editorial are placed inside another image of a suitcase. This links with the title of the editorial (touring special) and suggests that travelling will be the main overall theme in the magazine this issue.

The editorial is when the editor of the magazine writes what this issue of the magazine is about. It uses an informal tone which will relate to the audience of the magazine.

The masthead shows a running theme from the cover through to the contents (and throughout the whole magazine). It keeps the house style of the magazine making the audience familiar with it when they buy issues. The word ‘contents’ is big and bold which draws the reader in. It also shows that the reader will know exactly what page they are on in the magazine.

The contents of the page are on the right hand of the page. The page numbers of the articles are red in colour and the headings are in black. This keeps with the style of the magazine; keeping that familiarity for the reader. The heading of articles are in block capitals whereas the sub headings are lower case. This is so the reader is drawn and attracted to the headings and then can take a closer look at the sub headings if they are interested enough.

The subscription box is placed in the bottom right of the contents page just under the list of contents. This is used to make sure that readers carry on reading and buying the magazine therefore the magazine company make more money. The magazine will need loyal/regular readers in order to continue making magazines. By using a subscription the magazine can put special offers in there attracting readers.

A drop cap is when the first letter of the starting paragraph is bigger than the others. The first letter can drop down many lines depending on the editor and style of the magazine.

Double Page SpreadHeading

The heading of the article is ‘From Tags to Riches’. The heading suggests that Dizzee Rascal was once like a ‘normal’ person and now has managed to become ‘famous’ which is relatable to the reader. Also the heading relates to the main image in the article. Dizzee now has more ‘expensive’/ pop star clothes suggesting that his transition from the cover to the spread is just like the transition from ‘Tags’ to ‘Riches’.

Main ImageThe main image shows Dizzee wearing a red leather type jacket with darkish jeans. The clothes he is wearing suggest he is more like a star now than how he is shown on the cover. He is now standing in front of a graffiti wall. This suggests that his personality has also changed. On the front cover he looks all joyous and a happy go lucky type of person, but now on the spread he has changed into someone who looks a little suspicious and a bit troublesome such like someone who is associated with doing grafifti.

Drop Cap

The drop cap in this spread is the ‘Y’. This letter ‘drops’ 6 letters into the main article. The drop cap all depends on the style the editor makes the magazine.

Structure

This article has a 4 column structure. The structure of the double page spread also depends on how the editor of the magazine wants to lay the magazine out.

Bottom images

The bottom images show a couple of beer glasses and a boom box. Again the beer bottles suggest that now Dizzee has become a star in music he has changed his personality and has become more troublesome and suspicious. There is no quote on the image of Dizzee Rascal suggesting that the magazine only want the reader to be focused on the artist rather than a snippet of the interview.

Audience

• The main target audience of NME is males between the ages of 17-25.

• The colours of the magazine are used in order to attract the audience. It uses colours such as reds, blacks and white which would usually be associated with the male gender.

Links

• The elements that link the pages together are:• Text: The font used throughout the magazine is

similar and usually the same size.• Colours: The colours of the text and logo is used

throughout. The colours red and black are always used in order to make sure they magazine keeps the same theme and house style.

• Tone: The tone of the text in the magazine is consistent and informal. This makes the reader feel like they can connect more to the magazine.