Foundation Portfolio Main Task

The main task that we have been asked to perform is the creation of a new contemporary music magazine. I will need to create a front cover, a contents page and a double page spread, which will include original images, and will follow the conventions of a music magazine. To help develop my ideas and gain a better understanding of a music magazine's conventions, I am going to analyse NME and Kerrang magazine using the LIIAR format. I have chosen these magazines because they both focus on two different genres of music, so appeal to different audiences.


Kerrang Magazine

Language- The language used in Kerrang magazine is similar to that of NME magazine in that it is relevant to the audience. The language is fresh and current, and is informal so that the readers will relate and respond to it, rather than formal language that is hard to understand.

Institution- Kerrang magazine is published by Bauer Consumer Media, which produces around 238 magazines worldwide including other well known titles such as Heat, Take A Break and FHM.

Idealogy- Kerrang magazine focuses on the alternative genre of music, and this is reflected on by the front cover, with the use of dark images. The artists featured on the cover are wearing all black, which reinforces the idea of the magazine focusing on alternative music. The artist are also made to look very pale and ghostly, which again reinforces the same idea.

Audience- Kerrang magazine is aimed at young people probably aged between 14-25 years old, as the music featured is current and modern, which I don't think would appeal to a more mature audience.

Representation- The representation of Kerrang magazine, is a reflection of the type and style of people that read the magazine. The artists and shots of the artists that are featured in the magazine, and on the cover especially, are a often dark, and feature heavy metal and rock artists. The cover stars are usually a prominent band of the time the magazine is being issued, and their style is iconic as it is what the readers will aspire to look like. Also the bands and artists featured are usually of the rock-metal genre of music.

NME Magazine

Language- The language used in NME magazine is rather informal, as it is a young magazine. The language used on the front cover is short and snappy which gives out all the information needed to know, but without using too much text.

Institution- NME magazine is published by IPC Media, which is one of the leading UK consumer magazine publisher. Apart from NME, IPC Media also publishes popular magazines such as Marie Claire, Now and What's On TV. According to their website, "Almost two in every three UK women and over 45% of UK men read an IPC magazine. That's almost 27 million UK adults."

Idealogy- NME magazine aims to report on the current goings on in the music industry, especially with new and upcoming bands.

Audience- NME magazine is aimed at young people aged from 14-24 years old, as the magazine features contemporary music that would not appeal to older readers.

Representation- The artists used on the cover and inside the magazine, are a great reflection of the type of people who will buy the magazine. The artists featured in NME magazine are generally of the indie rock era, so the readers of the magazine will be those that listen to the music, and follow the style of the NME artists. The images used in NME magazine are often natural photographs, such as gig photos, which reflect the artist's often laid-back approach to music and the clothes and style they follow.

Mojo Magazine
Language-

Institution- Mojo magazine is a monthly magazine produced by Bauer Consumer Media in the UK, which produces over 238 other magazine titles worldwide, including other well known titles such as Closer, More, Zoo and Empire magazines.

Idealogy-

Audience- The music featured in Mojo magazine tends to be older and aimed towards older readers. The artists featured are usually classic rock icons such as Syd Barrett featured in this particular cover.

Representation-







Q Magazine

Language-

Institution- Q magazine is a UK monthly magazine, published by Bauer Consumer Media, which produces around 238 titles worldwide, including well known titles such as Bella, TV Quick and Grazia magazine.
Idealogy-

Audience-

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Rolling Stone Magazine

Language- The language used on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine isn't necessarily more formal than the other magazines that I have researched despite it's sophistication. However, instead of using single words and phrases to describe the activity in the magazine, there is a slightly larger amount of text used, which is affective as it isn't overpowering. The language used is Standard English, so it is easily understandable to all, rather than using slang that some readers may not be able to relate to.

Institution- Rolling Stone is a bi-weekly magazine based in the US. It is produced by Wenner Media LLC which produces other titles such as Men's Journal and US Weekly.

Idealogy- Much unlike the other music magazines that I have researched, Rolling Stone focuses on other subjects than music such as politics and popular culture, and it is not unusual for a popular actor, celebrity or even famous politicians to be featured in the magazine, or on the cover.

Audience- Rolling Stone magazine is much more sophisticated than other music magazines that I have researched, which would make it appealing to older readers, however due to the fact that they include popular and current figures on the cover and featured in the magazine, creates an appeal to younger readers, as they are being shown something that they are interested in, and are more likely to buy the magazine.

Represention- Rolling Stone is seen as being much more sophisticated than the normal music magazine, and this is reinforced with the polished cover including posed cover shots and interesting fonts. As Rolling Stone not only focuses on music, but politics and popular culture as well, the magazine reflects this.