I believe that after analysing five different music magazine front covers within the rock genre that there are specific features and techniques used to make the magazine appeal to the audience it’s aimed at. Additionally, there are several ways in which different institutions make their music magazine stand out among other magazines of the same genre, these are known as unique selling points. I will be considering many of these key findings when creating my final product.
Firstly, many rock music magazine institutions e.g ‘MOJO’ & ‘Big Cheese’, feature a skyline on the front cover of their magazine. A skyline is the bar situated at the top of the page above the masthead and runs all the way along. Furthermore, this feature is primarily used to inform the reader of additional articles, bands or artists that are features within the particular issue. One may argue, that this attracts a wider audience to read the magazine, whether they are fans of the band/artist mentioned or whether they want to find out more information on an article that has left them with an enigma (‘enigma code’ theory by Barthes).
Secondly, a feature used by many magazine institutions such as ‘NME’ is a flash. These are normally displayed as a circular ‘button’, although can be other shapes and are situated somewhere within the front cover, usually towards the top of the page, because it’s then one of the first thing the readers notice. Additionally, these are usually used to offer the reader something more than just the magazine. In some cases this may be extra posters or maybe a free gig guide or CD. One may argue, that flash’s have a positive effect on the reader, they often entice and persuade the reader to buy this particular music magazine over other magazines of the genre, often because they feel as if they’re getting more for their money which others are not offering them. In the long run, this may gain the institution readers who continue to by the magazine every week.
Additionally, I have discovered that music magazine front covers have several typical conventions which they all adhere to. Every magazine has an easily recognisable masthead situated at the top of the page usually written in big and bold typography so it stands out to the reader. Many of the music magazine front covers that I analysed show superimposition – when the cover model is positioned overlapping the masthead – this is to show that the cover model is more important than the institution itself. Alternatively, this technique could be displayed because the institution is extremely well-known and therefore they are recognised by an audience without the entire masthead being shown.
Furthermore, another typical convention is the cover model and cover line. A cover line is the main and most important article featured within the issue and always links with the cover model and gives the reader and insight as to what the article is about. In addition, the cover image was always of either a well-known band member within the genre e.g. ‘Oli Sykes’ or of an entire band e.g. ’30 Seconds To Mars’. These cover models attract a wide audience to read the magazine and because they differ each week they attract new readers to the magazine weekly. Moreover, cover images usually display direct mode of address this has a positive effect on the reader and makes them feel as if they’re being spoken to directly.
All the cover models on the five different magazines I have analysed adhered the connotations of rock music and ‘rock stars’ this is due to their costume, hair styles and overall appearance. All cover models were predominantly seen wearing black/dark colours, several of them had many tattoos and they all had some sort of styled hair, this shows the iconography of the genre. Each image was taken in different settings and used different lighting, ‘Kerrang!’ presented their cover model ‘Oli Sykes’ performing live, therefore the setting was at a live gig and the lighting was low-key although unique. All these different aspects of the cover images show mise-en-scene.
Moreover, each of the magazine front covers contained their own house style, the colour pallet used, the layout, and the typography are all key features of a magazines house style. Looking at my ‘NME’ analysis, the colour pallet used was red, white, light blue and black, the layout was easy to look at and was not cluttered and lastly the typography was kept to a minimum of three or four styles and the size was varied making some sell lines stand out more than others do, this shows continuity throughout the front cover. All of the magazine front covers I analysed had a set colour pallet, layout and selection of fonts which helps keep the reader attracted to the magazine and does not make it look cluttered and unprofessional.
In addition, I have noticed a range of different linguistic techniques present within music magazine front covers, each technique has been used to give a different effect on the reader. Firstly, the masthead ‘Kerrang!’ and also some sell lines e.g ‘Revealed!’ on ‘Big Cheese’, end with exclamation marks, this makes it prominent and punchy, it catches the reader’s eye instantly and makes them interested by the magazine or particular article. Secondly, use of quotes direct from band members/artists are displayed this can leave the reader with a ‘enigma code’. Additionally, ellipses are popular techniques on front covers at the end of article subheadings or after article titles themselves, this again is enigmatic and creates mystery. Lastly, techniques such as alliteration and repetition are prominent which both help the text flow and make it catchy and interesting.
Lastly, I have discovered that representation and lifestyle is a key concept within different front covers. Within the rock music genre women are seen as a minority although one may argue they are definitely becoming more prominent. ‘Rocksound’ had a female cover model ‘Hayley Williams’ of Paramore alongside her male band mates. I have also found out that some cover models can be represented negatively through smoking, alcohol or drugs being present, on the other hand others are seen as very positive and are people who others truly aspire to. ‘Kerrang!’ displayed the models ‘rock star’ lifestyle not only through the cover image being at a gig but also through the flash containing information on a gig guide, this is telling people if they want to have a lifestyle similar then they should attend gigs.
In conclusion, I will be considering a lot of these different techniques and key features when creating my final product in order to make it look like a successful and professional music magazine front cover.
emilyyharrison 