Analysis of NME and Kerrang music magazine

In todays lesson, we were asked to analyse to music magazines. These were the "NME" and the "Kerrang" magazine.

NME MAGAZINE

Front cover: My first impression of the front cover of this magazine was that, it looked dark and evil like. It looks like a rock magazine. I also thought it looked simple and effective and had the colour scheme of red, white, and black. The masthead of the magazine was also very large and in red and white. This automatically helps attracts the readers eye. The large image also helps attract the eye of the reader. One of the effective uses of colour on the front of the magazine is the link between the red top that the man in the image wears and the red font.

All the texts are placed on the left hand side of the page, leaving the image on the right. This makes it easier to read the information given as well as see the image at the same time without getting distracted by too much text.

Denotation: The denotation of this front cover is of a man wearing red and black with rock related jewelry.

Conotation: The conotation of this front cover could be that its a rock/indie magazine. The use of the dark colour also gives the effect of evil and the use of red makes it look like blood.

Audience Profile: I think this magazine is aimed at teenagers and above due to the use of strong language. It is also targeted at rock and indie lovers however it tries to target a large range of audiences. I think this magazine is mostly aimed at the male gender howeever some of the articles inside it also appeals to  females.

Inside the magazine: The inside of the magazine fulfilled my expectation through the use of the rock bands and other rock related items. The articles also included information about giggs and festivals. The texts also keeps the same colour scheme of red white and black. The articles also had puns that helped attract attention for example "Panic Over!". This makes the reader want to know more about what this panic was all about. The use of large images also helps attract the readers eye. The use of informal and strong language, backs the point that this magazines is aimed at teenagers and older readers.

Advertisements: The advertisments that are included in this magazine are also linked to its genre. For example, it advertises musical instruments which is also associated to rock and indie. These advertisements also help attract readers. The magazine also advertises giggs and musc festivals.

Interactivity: This magazine interacts with its audience through advertisements such as the chance for a lucky reader to become an artist and record his or her own song. Furthermore, it also allows its readers send in their oppinions which is then published in the next edition of the magazine.


Kerrang Magazine

Front Cover: My first impression of this magazines front cover is that its very bright and has a colour scheme of blue, white and black. I also noticed that the texts have been purposely placed around the image to ensure that it doesnt block the images as well as makes the text visible for all to see. The help of the bright colours also help attract its reader. The large masthead has a black background visible enough for all to see to also help catch the readers eye. The image of the lady also helps appeal to the different genders and not only one. The use of the pink mixed with the text also shows that the magazine appeals to the different genders. It also tries to get the female readers invloved as the texts are about valentines day.

The conotation of the pink text would be love. The denotation of the large image is a man pointing at the camera how ever, the conotation could be that the man is pointing at the reader in the sense persuading them to buy this magazine.

Audience Profile:  I think this magazine is aimed at older reader and older teenagers as it includes a lot of strong languge. It is also targeted at the hardcore rock/indie lovers, however, a section of the magazine includes an R 'n' B artist, meaning they also try to attract a range of audiences.

Inside the Magazine: The inside of the magazine doesnt follow the same colour scheme as the front cover. There were alot of image as well as texts. There are more texts than image on some pages and the opposite on othe pages. Some articles were of interviews with rock bands. This also helps attract its audience as they like to know what their favourite bands interests are. There is also a lot of strong language in the articles showing that they are free to speak their mind.

Advertisements: There are advetisements of  guitars and other musical instuments that are related to rock/indie.

Comparisons

Both of the magazines have their similarities and their differences, for example they both use the same technics to try and attract their audiences. These different technics include the use of colours, images, texts and advertisements. It is also obvious that both the magazines are mostly targeted at the rock and indie population. A difference between the magazine could be that the "NME" magazine follows a colour scheme all the way through the magazine, whilst the "Kerrang" magazine doesnt. Both the magazines also have their ways of interacting with their readers. Some of these methods are similar whiles some arent. A similar method that both magazines use to interact with their readers are the advertisments.