Analysing Magazine Front Covers #1

NME Music magazine;

NME is a punk/rock music magazine.
Inside the magazine we expect articles such as gossip on the reunion of the ban Blur, tours/gigs that went on and behind the scene information, the line-up about the Gossip and how they “smashes the mainstream”, news on what’s happening and updating articles on artist business, gossiping and finding out anything about the music bands. In the article we also expect to lookout for advertisement, such as new album releasing soon, gigs and tours happening soon near your area if not information on their tours and where they’re performing at also which artist are involved.
The magazine doesn’t really have a target audience; it’s suitable for everyone but mainly those who takes interest and enjoy the sort of genre it releases in the magazine such as punk/rock music.
The magazine slants slightly towards the teenagers/young adults age group such as 15-19 years old as the design and layout of the magazine is basic and straight forward, more recognisable of a teen to be interested in.
The central image is of a band called The Gossip, with the lead singer posing of an image as if she’s looking out which could refer to advertising their music. “Look out for the Gossip, music you wouldn’t want to miss” expression.
The relationship the magazine is seeking out to readers is to inform them with the gossip everyone loves to hear. The image attracts immediate attention which is represented with the leading artist looking straight at the reader.
The front cover is of a band called The Gossip. This image advertises them as a come back from their break, bringing back a better and a new start to their music. It also presents the main attention of the day, how the Gossip broke through the mainstream of their line-up.
The anchorage text shows “THE GOSSIP: SEX, SKINS AND STANDING IN THE WAY OF CONTROL. HOW THREE PUNKS SMASHED THE MAINSTREAM”. This shows that the artist/group produces rock/punk music and made a success through their career.
The artist is presenting an instant welcome with the pose the artist is showing, it give a “come in and take a look” attraction.
The group band Muse and the Gossip are presented on the front cover
The Gossip image is present in the centre of the page which creates an immediate attention on them. Muse is placed as a side image with the text advertising their tour in Wembley and count downing until the very day comes.
No the magazine does not show any buzz word on the front cover.
The effect it attracts readers is the attention of them being intrigue and interested in the sort of information the magazine provides and gossip of the artist involved.
The title block itself does not show what the magazine is about or the genre but the text below the block title presents that the magazine is a music genre.

1. the readership – The magazine has a lot to speak out to the audience and inform them on the modern music lifestyle.
2. its image – There are many image on the cover, this can present a attraction to the audience on reading into the magazine about all the gossip.
3. its style – It’s based upon the genre of the music which is rock and the style of the magazine would be straight forward to its audience to understand and suitable for people who are interested in rock music.
The type of audience the magazine is trying to attract is around the age group of 14-18, its attention is seeking out to people who are into the rock music industry.
There are no slogans presented on the magazine
The colours used are mainly black, white and red which are known to be seen suitable for a dark, rock genre.
The way it is used and presented I believe attracts immediate attention to audience.
The fonts used are all capitalised which could attract audience attention with the big and bold text, as it being all written in capitals this can present the effect of it shouting out to you, reaching for your attention to buy and read the magazine.
The strategies used on the magazine that attracts audiences are the images, especially the centre image with its anchorage text about it, it stands out and attracts attention to the magazine.