Music Magazines in the UK

• The Rolling Stone• Billboard • Q

Q Magazine

• Publisher: Bauer Media Group• Bauer Media Group:• Owns Box Television 50%: British Television company, music • Owns Bauer Radio• Publishes: Bella, Take a break, that’s life (women’s magazines), Q,

Kerrang! (music magazines)

• Monthly magazine• Music magazine

Layout: The main colours are black,white and red. These colours are normal to use at a rock magazine. The magazine is busy with text and the main image. It looks like a cheapermagazine because of the title of themagazine.

Masterhead: A white Q, printed on a red squared background. It reminds of cheap gossip magazines like C, and the gossip channel E!.

Selling line: Using the line ‘the UK’s biggest music magazine’ makes it sound popular and makes the audience want to read it.

Main image: The image contains the celebrity ‘Cheryl Cole’. Her hair is wet because she is standing in the rain, this makes her look tough. She has a lot of eyeliner around her eyes, and red lipstick. She is wearing a leather jacket and a big silver ring, which she is licking. She is using a direct address by looking straight into the camera. All this creates a sexual tension. This supports the ‘male gaze’, because she is presented as a object to men. The colour scheme of the picture are black, white and red, which matches the rest of the layout of the cover.

Main heading: ‘3 Words… Cheryl Cole Rocks’. There are few words, but they are catching. It tells the audience what and who the main article is about. The word ‘rock’ stands out both when it comes to the use of colours, size and font. It is very dominant and catches the eyes.

Sub heading: All the sub headings are names of different bands and artists. On the right side it first says ‘the 10 best new acts’ and then the artists. This makes the magazine seem a bit exclusive, because you can only read it once in this magazine. Makes the audience want to read it. Many different artists are listed on the cover, something for everybody.

Plug: Is a round, grey sticker which says John Lennon and “the untold story & the unseen pics”, again this makes the magazine exclusive, people want to read the story and see the picture because they think this is the only place you can. There are no barcode on the cover, which means it is on the back page. Or it is supposed to be in the white box under the date.

Layout: The layout is busy, but still lucid. It has the same colours, red, white and black, as the cover. And Cheryl Cole, who fronted the cover, again catches the eyes of the audience. The stories in the magazine are listed on both sides, and there are lots of different images in the middle and all around.

Shows the front cover of the magazine

Tell the audience what number the issue is, it is written in the same font as the main heading, but in white

Main heading: The main heading is written black on red in Serif, next to a white Q, which is the name of the magazine.

Sub headings: The sub headings are written in white on a red line. There are three sub headings, to separate the magazine into different topics.

Cover lines: The cover lines are written in black, and has a red line underneath. This makes it look more tidy and nice. Just before the text there is a number to tell what page the audience can read about this.

The page number, magazine logo and date is in the bottom corner of the page.

The webpage of the magazine is on the bottom of the page.

Images: There are many different images placed on the content page. The images makes it a bit “easier” to find what you want. If you are interested in Cheryl Cole, you see a big picture of her with the page number next to her. The way she is represented in this photo is the same as on the front cover, in a sexual way as a object to men (male gaze). The rest of the images is decent, apart from the one in the bottom left corner with the guy with no shirt on. All the images give an impression of a popular and average priced magazine.

Layout: The layout on this double spread is very clean and tidy. The left page is filled with text and one picture. The right page one has a picture of Cheryl Cole. The colours used are the same as the rest of the magazine; red, white and black. Black and red are showing danger, which Cheryl Cole’s clothes also does. On the left side, there is a big, red C, over the text, this C dominates, both because it is really big, and because it is red. In the text, there is a smaller C in black. The big C in red, and the small C in black, are the initials of Cheryl Cole. Main heading: The main heading says ‘Cheryl Cole’, who the article is about. The font is black and Serif. It is very simple and neutral, the audience do not get any impression what is going to be in the article, other than Cheryl Cole.

In the bottom of the page there is a quote, most likely from Cheryl Cole. ‘I don’t know what I look like anymore. Do you know what I mean?’. It sounds like she does not know who she is anymore, like she has changed. The font is red and in Serif. The red colour makes it easy to see. If it was black, it would become a bit invisible.

Main image: the main image covers the entire right page. She is wearing all black clothes, and her top has spikes on it. This makes her dangerous and mysterious. Her hair is dark

brown and she is wearing dark eye-makeup and has red lips, her nails are dark. All over she is very dark. She is showing much skin and chest, which makes her a sexual object, and this is supporting the ‘male gaze’.

Sub image/secondary image: This image, as the others, is very dark. The background is skyscrapers, might be New York, and she is wearing black clothes. She has a black shorts, and a grey/black top. She is also wearing a top hat, which shadow covers the top of her face. Her skin is very pale, it looks a bit unrealistic.

The images might be reflecting what the text is all about. All the pictures are dark, and this might mean that she is depressed or sad. It can also mean that she is tough and a strong person.

The Rolling Stone

• Producer: Jann Wenner• Publishes: Men’s Journal (men’s lifestyle), Us

weekly (celebrity)

• Bi-weekly magazine• Music Magazine

Layout: The cover is very clean and tidy. All the sub headings are listed on the left side, and it is easy to read. Because of the colours used, which are natural life colours and blue, it looks like a magazine aimed for adults in the 40s. The colours and the layout also make it look sophisticated and expensive.

Colour scheme: The colours have a natural tone, such as brown and black. The main title is blue, as is one word and a line, and Brad Pitt’s eyes. The natural tones of the rest of the magazine makes Brad Pitt’s eyes stand out. His eyes have a unnatural blue colour, which mean he is either using contacts or they have edited them. If he had green eyes for example, they would probably have used green instead of blue. Main image: The image contains

the celebrity ‘Brad Pitt’. He is using a direct address, where he looks straight into the camera. He has a kind and calm face, but does not show any facial expressions. The clothes he is wearing are clothes a older person would use, he has a shirt, a brown coat and a loose tie. The fact that his tie is loose makes him more relaxed. The background behind him is shadowed, to put him more in the front.

Masterhead: The masterhead is written in Serif, the font is the same at all the Rolling Stone magazines. It is written in blue, symbolizes wisdom and stability, and gives a calming effect. In this context the colour blue may be used to reflect how Brad Pitt is; stabile and wise, and the look at his face; calm.

Buzz word: the word ‘plus’ draws attention, because in this magazine you get not only the ‘50 best albums of the year’, but also the ‘100 best singles’.

The barcode is in the right corner, and a common convention used in order for the costumer to purchase the magazine.

Date and price: It is a common convention expected in all magazines. It is displayed just above the masterhead in a smaller font. This might be to hide it, or not to draw any attention from the rest of the cover.

Selling line: The line ‘Bush’s final f#@! You!’ uses a very strong and appealing language. Using the word ‘you’, they talk directly to the audience. The audience might want to know why this is, because it affects ‘you’. Also this line is probably used because this issue was published in January, 2009, at the same point as Obama started as president.

Main heading: The main heading is ‘Brad Pitt’ who is in the main image. The font is white and Serif. It is the only text on the page in white, which shows that it might be a bit different from the rest. And Brad Pitt is, since he does not have anything to do with music really, he is an actor.

The date and name of the magazine is placed on the bottom right corner. This is a common convention used in magazines.

Layout: The layout is clean and tidy. There are two images and the rest is text. The colours used are mainly black and white and most numbers are written in purple. The fonts used are Serif. Purple symbolizes power and ambition, among other things. Purple might have been used to represent the artist in the images.

Main heading: ‘Johnny be good’, written in black Serif. It is almost the same as the song ‘Johnny B.Goode’ by Chuck Berry. The text is very simple, and you get an impression that the text is about the 50s or 60s.

The text underneath the main heading, is written in the same font as the main heading, just smaller. It is about a man named ‘Johnny Carson’. Under the text there is a page number, this is probably the introduction to the double spread page, which is on page 32, like it says just under the text.

Main image: the image is in black and white, and of two men dancing and singing on a stage. It is probably taken in the 50-60s, and is of Johnny Carson and another man, since the text underneath is about Johnny Carson. They are wearing suits, which makes it seem like they are important and wealthy, might be in the upper class.

Sub image: the image is of Beyoncé singing. This image contrast the rest of the page because it is all colourful, and it is very ‘wild’ compared to the rest. Her hair is all over, and she has a ‘wild’ look.

Tells the audience that this is Rolling Stone magazine number 968.

Sub heading: ‘Money Honey’. Written in black Serif. The heading indicates that the story about Beyoncé is about her money and power.

Cover lines: the cover lines tells the audience where you can find different stories, and a little bit on what they are about. The page number is on the left of each ‘story’.

In the bottom left corner you get information about the cover.

Layout: The layout if very clean, the only picture is the one at the whole left side. The picture is of Brad Pitt. The right page has a main heading which covers about 2/3 of the page. The rest of the page is covered by cover lines and the first part of the article. The main colours are blue, black and white. It looks like it aims for people aged 40+, both male and female. The interview is about his life, and if they were aiming for younger people, they would probably have used lighter colours.

Image: the image is of the celebrity ‘Brad Pitt’. He is not looking straight at the camera, but has a kind of worried or scared look at the side. He is wearing a black shit, rings and a necklace, which he drags with his hands. Again this makes him look a bit scared and worried. This might mean that he is going to be telling very personal things in the article. The picture has a black background, and parts of his face are shadowed. If the magazine were aiming this double spread for younger people, they would have used a more colourful and happier image. Young people are more interested to read about “happy things”.

Main Heading: The main heading is ‘Brad Pitt’, which tells the audience that this article is about Brad Pitt, so is the image. It is written in Serif, and blue, which is one of the main colours on the double There is text written between and around the words in the main heading.

Sub heading: The sub heading is ‘The Rolling Stone Interview’. It is placed between the words ‘Brad’ and ‘Pitt’ in the main heading. This might be a way to show that they go ‘inside’ Brad Pitt, and gets all the information.

Billboard magazine

• Producer: Prometheus Gobal Media• Entertainment publishing company• Former publishers of Vouge and GQ• Publishes: Adweek (global advertising), Back Stage (film),

Billboard (music), Film Journal (Motion-picture industry), The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment)

• Weekly magazine• Music magazine

Layout: the layout is clean, apart from the main heading, which is placed in the middle of the cover. The colours used are mainly white and yellow. Yellow is often associated with joy and energy, which Rihanna is all about. The magazine is aiming for teenage girls. It looks like an average priced magazine.

Sub heading: The sub headings are written in a small front and in white, the reason for this may be not to take focus off the main image and main heading. The sub headings are all about different artists and bands, which shows that this is just a music magazine.

Main heading: The main heading is written in italic Serif. ‘The world is hers’ indicates power, and over the text there are different achievements by Rihanna. She has done a lot of things, which may make the audience more interested.

The barcode, date and price is placed in the left corner, they are common conventions used in order for the costumer to purchase the magazine.

Buzz: There are no buzz words at this cover, instead they have used a ‘plus’ sign, to show that in this magazine you get something more.

Masterhead: The masterhead is written in San Serif, and is the same at all the Billboard magazines, with a blue colour inside the a, and a yellow colour inside the d.

Main image: The main image is of the celebrity ‘Rihanna’. It is a bit blurry, to make it more tense and sexual. She has a short haircut, which separates her from the rest of girls’ role models. She is wearing a purple lipstick, purple is a frustrated colour, and it reflects how she is. She is not wearing any clothes except from a bra and a necklace, this is creates a sexual tension and supports the ‘male gaze’. All the colours on her is dark, she is quite a rebellious girl, this shows through the colours.

Layout: The layout is tidy and well structured. On the left you can see a chart over number 1 albums and songs to keep people up to date. On the right you see what you can read in the magazine. The colours being used are basic; blue, black and white. The page is very bright.

Reminder of the magazine’s name

Sub headings: Written in black/grey Serif. They are just big enough too be seen, and give a better overview on different “topics” such as features and music. In the bottom there is a heading written white on black, and on a line which goes over the whole page. It has the same font as the main heading. It says home front, and underneath it there are different things happening.

Cover lines: They are written in a blue San Serif. They probably show important and big articles in the magazine.

Main heading: The word contents is written on the top, and tells the audience what they can read about in this magazine and what page they can find it. It is written in a black San Serif.

Images: Just under the main heading there are three pictures, they are most likely artists and bands. It does not say anything about them to keep it simple, just the page number, which are written in white in the left corners. In the middle of the page there is a picture of a girl who is laughing. She might be in the main article, because she is placed in the middle and is the first thing you see when you look at the page. On her tip of her shoe you can see what page you can find her on.

Page number, date and webpage is placed in the bottom corner of the page. This is the normal place to have it.

Layout: The layout is very simple and clean. On the left there is text, a main heading and an introduction to an article. The left side consist of a image of Rihanna. The main colours are black and purple, they are used both on the text and in the image.

Main heading: The main heading is ‘unstoppable’. The font is black and San Serif. This type of font matches the word ‘unstoppable’. It takes up 1/3 of the double spread, which shows that it is really important.

Main image: The image is of Rihanna, wearing a bra, a bit necklace and a army jacket. The army jacket gives her a tough look. She is wearing a purple lipstick, which matches the colours on the rest of the double spread.The flash lights up her face, and takes focus off her body. She is looking down on the ground, which could mean that she is sad, but thinking about the main heading; ‘unstoppable’, it might mean that she is ready to rise. The text says: ‘could it be the first no.1 album of her career?’, if it is, then she will rise her head.

The text next to the main heading is written in black San Serif. There are some words written in purple, such as ‘Rihanna’ and the last words. This text tells the audience what the article on Rihanna, which is most likely on the next page, is about. Under it you see the name of the author.