Music Magazine analysis

1. Magazine Analysis
Faye Masterson

2. The names of bands in large bold letters makes
them stand out around all the other text so
readers will be able to easily see who are the
main featured artists without reading all of the
text
The masthead Kerrang! is featured in
every issue and is iconic. The shattered
glass effect of the text is representative of
the genre as it it gives off a rock style as
well as the use of a bold black title in
capitals.
The fact that the masthead is covered
by the main image is a common
magazine convention which shows how
well known the magazine is as the title is
iconic and recognisable without being
shown
The website is shown to allow the
readers to find out more information
The barcode is shown for institutional
information for publishers to keep track
of how many issues have been sold
The price of the magazine
is shown in the bottom
corner which is typical of
magazine codes and
conventions
The date of the issue shows to the reader
its recency and how regularly the
magazine is produced
‘Exclusive!’ is a buzz word and it
suggests to readers that they are
getting something out of the magazine
that they would not be able to access
anywhere else
‘Free’ and ‘plus’ are buzz
words and makes the
reader feel that they are
getting extra out of buying
the magazine
‘The ultimate interview’
tells the reader that it is
the best interview there
is and the readers will
not get it anywhere else
The use of a quote
from the interview may
entice the readers to
want to read more
and buy the magazine
to read the full text
‘The world’s greatest
rockstar’ suggests
that the magazine
know who is the best
and that they contain
the best artists
The main image is of Lemmy, a rock
musician which suggests the genre of
the magazine and shows that he is the
is the main feature of the issue as this
is a common convention of magazines
Bring me the horizon, Green Day and
Asking Alexandria are all also rock bands
so they fit in with the genre of the
magazine
The rule of thirds has been used as the
main image is in the middle third with
cover lines on both sides. This follows
typical magazine codes and conventions
The artist in the main image uses
direct mode of address. This makes it
seem personal and engages the
reader
The image shows reflections of
skulls in the artist’s sunglasses
which has connotations of
death which links with the quote
below which relates to his
interview. This also has
connotations of the rock genre
of the artist and of the
magazine as a whole

3. There is an editor’s note
on the contents page
which is quite a common
magazine convention.
This introduces the
readers and makes the
magazine seem more
personal and engaging
The contents are divided
up in to categories which
makes it easy for the
readers to navigate
through and easily find
what they are looking for.
The categories are written
in larger text and in bright
yellow text boxes to make
them stand out
There is a coherent black and
yellow colour scheme on the
contents page. Often yellow
against black connotes a warning
and this may be done to give
connotations of danger which may
relate to the rock genre of the
magazine
The issue number is on the
magazine which allows
readers to keep track of the
magazine if they are regular
buyers. The date of the issue
is also shown to show its
recency
The contents categories have ‘on
the cover’ features which directs
readers to the articles featured
on the cover. This is useful to
readers as they may have bought
the magazine specifically to find
an article that appealed to them
on the front cover.
The main image is dark and has gothic
connotations by including crosses and a skull-
like image which reflects the rock/ punk genre of
the magazine
This uses humour which
makes the magazine appear
more friendly and informal
The contents title uses a bold font with a shadow so it stands
out, and has illustrations which appear gothic including the skill,
cross and snakes which all give dark connotations relating to the
punk/ rock genre

4. The pull quote uses a swear
word. This presents the artist as
rebellious. The aggressive,
careless attitude suggested by
the chosen quote is informal and
typical of the rock genre
The black background has gothic connotations which makes it
representative of the rock genre and reinforces the style of the artist. The
white text also stands out. The yellow stripes on the side of the page
against the black are used again similarly to on the contents page which
is uniformed and these colours together have connotations of danger,
and represent danger which may suggest the hardcore rock genre
The main image bleeds across two pages which emphasises
its importance and stands out to the reader. The size of the
image suggests the importance of the article in the magazine.
The image is taken of the artist performing on stage and
appears to be from an audience view point; this gives the idea
of the reader being involved in the audience and engages
them.
The smaller image shows the artist in a
different context which presents him in a
regular, relaxed situation which suggests to
the reader that they are getting to know the
real him and gives an idea they are getting
close to him personally through the
magazine
‘Lemmy doesn’t like
pissing around’ -
The use of very
informal language
gives a relaxed,
friendly vibe to the
magazine.