EVALUATION – Question 1

By Anna Campbell

• On the front cover the font of the masthead and the ‘music banned’ cover line is incredibly similar and different to other music magazine fonts (indie) but it stands out and is quite hard looking (rock). This in house font creates a type of slug for the magazine making it familiar to the audience the more they see it.

• The 2 artists could be connected with the ‘music banned’ cover line in that they are Connor and Joe which is later confirmed in the double page spread (which also includes this font). They’re pointing the guitars at the camera – suggests they’re coming for you and emphasizes the direct mode of address which magazines like to accentuate.

• All the cover lines form a slight lexical cohesion in that all the bands included are indie rock which fits the theme of the magazine and links to the intended target audience.

• The relaxed fonts, casual attire of the artists (models) and low pricing of the magazine suggests quite a low psychographic (e.g. C class) which could allow the younger demographic relate to this as they usually lack money – don’t have a job.

• This magazine challenges most of the codes and conventions of most (mainstream) music magazines but it’s proven that ‘Q’ and ‘Kerrang’ are still popular because they still appeal to a niche market.

Front coverMasthead – big and bold – stands out. Similar to other magazines as it goes all the way across the top.‘MUSIC BANNED’ - monthly cover line – most important – other magazines have their most important cover line (story) near the top under the masthead – left third.Exclusive – the tag makes the audience feel special as they’re hearing the story first – good connotations towards magazine – best stories.A Smith’s lyric is used from their song ‘How Soon is now’ which links to the narrative of the cover line and is familiar for Smith’s fans.

Jamie Laing – Made In Chelsea (popular with young target audience) – want to know facts from behind the series.

Barcode – institutional – allows people to purchase in shops.

The 20% off cover line allows the audience to save money on something which most magazines do as it entices the reader to find out.

Direct mode of address

Background – challenges codes and conventions – more natural and indie – links to genre.‘November’ – suggests monthly magazine and cheaper than normal music magazines – more convenient for younger audiences – target audience.

Red hot chili peppers in a fiery font (chili) followed by the reading logo – familiar festival for younger audience.

Plug – looks like the sun in the sky (discourse). ‘Secret gigs’ – appeal to indie people as they like to be different – unknown artists.

The song of the month updates the reader on what’s good with a skate park picture in the background – cool hip connotations.Typography – all

different fonts and colours – indie

Contents page

There is an ongoing theme of the colour burgundy throughout this page which fits in well with the natural colours of the background picture. Also, black is the usual contents page main colour – different (indie genre).The titles in the contents include all of the cover lines on the front cover – most important and easy to find.Music banned is in capitals (most important) and has a picture next to it – confirm who the article is about.Well known bands and artists have been included (Beatles and Dave Grohl) which shows the current institution – other magazines include bands that link to the genre. Website link – similar to most other music magazines –

allows audience to buy an issue online or make a subscription.

Faye Masterson story on its own (important) – following conventions by having a story dotted around – breaks up the text.3 pictures at the bottom relate to the indie rock genre of music – Joe and Connor’s instruments – famous and iconic. It also suggests that the magazine focuses more on the music not the image (niche).

Natural background picture (indie) – goes against codes and conventions of plain white background – more interesting and niche.

Model not looking at camera – implies he doesn’t care about the image – more into the music. He is looking into the sun – looking into his bright future.

Low opacity white box behind ‘contents’ – similar to other codes and conventions – makes it stand out.

Double Page SpreadThe pictures include both the artists to give a sense of unity and friendship, which emphasize the fact they’re coming together. Typography – big and bold in the centre of the page – makes it stand out. The red and yellow fit nicely with the colour scheme of the pictures. The article font is American Typewrite which is quite indie and old fashioned – relates to the genre of their music.

The pictures don’t show a clear shot of the artists’ faces – suggests they’re not in it for the fame but in it for the music.

The “no longer ‘indie’pendent” column talks about Connor as an artist and it the title shows how he is from the indie genre but now he’s moving onto to different areas of music.

The links will appeal to a younger audience as there more likely to be on the internet to subscribe to the magazine or find out more about the artists.

The “hard’rock’life” column is solely focused around Joe and the rock genre. The heading is a play on phrase with the musical Annie - around when the target audience would’ve watched it – more interesting.

The last column talks about the 2 artists coming together which links to them both in all the pictures.