Magazine Conventions

Masthead - The name of the magazine displayed in the typeface in which it is designed. This is the visual branding of the title and is usually done in a unique typeface to be recognisable.
Main Image - In the case of this cover there is a shot of the band 'The Last Shadow Puppets'. It is used in a classic way, their faces are big enough to make an impact on the news-stand as Alex Turner and Miles Kane are making full eye-contact.
Cover Lines - 'NME' uses a lot of cover lines, which are distributed down the left hand side of the main image without distracting from it too much.
Main Cover Line - This is very large - taking up nearly half of the cover area - and comes in three layers; the name of the band members, their band name, and a quote from the interview inside. The main cover line is shown in white and red text up against the black of the jackets, helping it stand out and ensuring that it shows up clearly.
Selling Line - Short, sharp description of the magazine. In this case it is 'New Musical Express' which also stands for the magazine name NME.
Left Third - The left third of the cover is vital for selling the issue in shops where the magazine is not shown full-frontage. The title must be easily recognisable in a display of dozens of competitors. The start of the masthead is important here.
Bar code, Price and Date - Standard on a magazine, put there by retailers. Included for shop owners to scan and to let the audience know how much the magazine is and what issue it is.

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Analysis #3

The third double page spread is one of 'Echo and the Bunnymen'. This double page spread features a main image of one band member covering one side of the spread and text on the other. However, overlapping the text are also other images; one of the band as a whole and the other of the single members.

The main image is a medium close, showing the facial features clearly but also a microphone, linking with what part the member shown plays in the band and also showing music/band iconography. The pose he (Ian McCulloch) is pulling looks quite spacey which links with the title of the article and also the song the article is focusing, The Killing Moon. These relate to each other due to the fact that the moon is in space and also quite mesmirising, which links with the pose that Ian is pulling as he not only looks spacey but also as though he is mesmirised by something.

The colour scheme running through the double page spread is a gold and black theme connoting wealth and class. The title of the article is also written in a font that is used when a band gets a gold disk of their song. This links with the caption of the title, "Oh, and it's also 'the greatest song ever written'" due to the fact that if the song was the best it would have been successful and therefore, the band will have recieved a gold disk. The main image also has gold undertones as it is shot in a sepia effect therefore complimenting the gold and black theme of the double page spread. The use of the 'Oh,' in the caption makes it feel as though it is an underthought due to the fact that it is so obivous that 'The Killing Moon' is 'the greatest song ever written' that it was almost not mentioned because everyone already knows.

On the far left of the page is a single shot of 'the key players' who contributing to making 'The Killing Moon' video and are also the peopl to speak in the interview. These include the vocalist, the bassist, the guitarist and the video director. This shows each individual clearly whereas in the group shot, featured in the middle of the text, the band memebers are not as clear to make out.
As the interview is centred around the making of the video it provides the audience with a behind the scenes view, making it more interesting and making the audience feel special.

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Analysis #2

The second double page spread features the band 'Traffic'. The majority of the double page spread being taken up by a low-angle, long shot of the band giving them an image of empowerment connoting importance and strength. The shot is placed down on the ground making grass visible close to the lens. This, and the fact the band are also appearing through trees compliment each other and give a sense of mystery, showing that there are private elements to the band.

The title of the double page spread is 'Getting it together in the country' which links with the image as the band are surrounded by trees and wildlife, complimenting the idea of countryside and nature. The band are also dressed in a hippy style, linking further with the idea of nature and giving the band a recognisable image. The font of the title is also printed in a font style links with the idea of the countryside and nature. It is written in a way that looks like tree stumps and wood joined together, making each individual letter/word. This also links with the main image as the band are emerging from trees.

On this double page spread there is no article; only the introduction to it. The introductory paragraph ends with "so much for the hippy ideals..." which gives connotations of a rebellion and a further side to the story, making the reader want to know more and read on. Complimenting this fact is the rest of the paragraph which mentions a 'power struggle' between two band members that 'rumble on to the day'. As the magazine investigates this point, along with others about the band, it makes the content seem exclusive grabbing the readers attention immediately.

The colour scheme of the double page spread also compliments the nature element running throughout the double page spread. The colours are very neautral such as cream, brown and, running predominantly through the image, green. These are all the colours you would find in a countryside landscape and therefore compliment the idea of the double page spread well.

Compared with the previous double page spread analysed this is very different. The previous one was very harsh and used darker colours, whereas this one with 'Traffic' include a much more neautral and peacful theme therefore aiming at different people.

Similarly to the previous double page spread analysed, this one features the band name in a bold font both at the top of the page and within the intorduction paragraph making the audience recognise what band is features in the article.

Music Magazie Double Page Spread Analysis #1

The double page spread featured is of the band 'The Undertones'. The title on the double spread is 'Teenage Dreams So Hard To Beat' which relates to the band as it is a lyrics from their most famous song, 'Teenage Kicks'. The title is written in a bold, large font, making it stand out and ensuring that, excluding the images, it is the largest feature on the page. The title is also written in a graffiti style, connoting the teenage stereotype of vandalism, linking with the hit song once more. It also relates to the image featured to the right on the text as the pose of the band has cheeky and rebellious elements such as certain band members pulling faces at the camera and one, not looking at the camera at all.

The image is shot from a high angle, connoting that the band are small and intimidated by the media and surrounding industry. However, the rebellious pose connotes how the band are acting against what people think of them and just doing their own thing, consequently making the audience feel intimidated, despite the high angle and due to 'The Undertones' free spirit. The image is also shot in a black and white edit, connoting a sense of mystery and also adding to the elements of the bands misunderstood image.

The band are also dressed in casual clothes, connoting a relateable element, making the reader connect with them more, due to the fact that the clothes worn are those that anyone, outside of the music industry, could wear.

The caption running underneath the title shows and adds to the normality of the band, "For 'The Undertones', living the Rock'n'Roll dream meant visits to church and McDonald's, and adopting pigeons when they could have been partying with 'The Clash'", it then goes on to say, "Going to war with their front man ... over who sat in the front of the van," which compliments further the down to earth vibe the band have, making them more relateable and therefore, more popular.
The use of the '..' prolongs the caption and makes the reader think, after having such a normal image of the band painted in their heads, if the band actually were rock 'n' roll and fought over everyone. However, as we read on we discover and 'The Undertones' reclaim their relatable image as the text shows that the only thing they argued about was 'who sat in the front of the van'.

At the top of the page and also featured in bold is the bands name which stands out to the audience and let's them know who the article will be on and with, either drawing them in to the feature or pushing them away due to the fact that they might not like the band.

Music Magazine Contents Page Analysis #3

The contents page of 'MOJO' magazine features, at the top of the page, the word 'MOJO', as appose contents. However, the reader can tell that this is the contents page due to the typical conventions such as page numbers, feature headings in a bold text, information under the heading about that feature and also, images relating to one, or more, of the features in the magazine. The title text ('MOJO') is bold, large and in a simple font, making it stand out and catch the readers eye.

Featured down the left hand side of the splash are the content listings, telling the audience and letting them know what will be featured in the magazine that issue. The page numbers which, along with the feature heading, are in bold, standing out and showing the reader clearly what the feature is and where to find it.

Placed under each sub-title is a italicised description of what will feature in that certain article. The descriptions vary from long to short, still, in each case, not giving too much away about the content, pulling the reader in and urging them to read further.

Despite having a main story featured on the front cover, 'MOJO' magazine does not concentrate it's contents page on this one feature. Instead, different images of things related to the features down the left of the page are shown. By doing this it shows the reader more of what is featured in the magazine and not just the one main feature on the front cover as the reader are already aware of this feature due to it being the first thing they notice when they see the magazine. The images are also arranged in a collage layout, making the reader relate to the magazine more due to the layed back feel it is connoting as it gives off a vibe that they have just placed the images wherever and not given too much thought into it, giving the impression of being effortlessly cool.

The page numbers and text relating to the title are also featured on top of the images. Helping this text (page numbers and text relating to the feature) stand out and making it obvious to the reader, is a bold red background placed behind the text, on top of the image.

Some of these images, however, do not link with the text to the left, some have been put there instead of text. This not only gives the page a good ratio between text and image but also leaves the reader intrigued as only an image and title is being revealed and no explanation as to what the feature will contain is included. This leaves the reader in suspense as to what the article is about, making them want to read on and discover more.

Music Magazine Contents Page Analysis #2

'Contents' is shown at the top of the contents page of 'Uncut' magazine, showing the reader what the page is and what it will contain. However, the text is only averaged sized, not too large to draw the readers eye away from the main features on the splash, but also big enough for the reader to notice and recognize that it is there.

The main content of the contents page is split into five sections; the 'regulars', 'features', 'reviews', 'the editor' which is a not from the editor about the issue and a section titles 'in this issue', making is easy for the reader to navigate their way around the page.

The section titles 'regulars' lists features that are in the magazine every time it is published therefore the section is smaller than the one titles 'features', which includes things that are only featured in the magazine that one issue. The page numbers on all sections are not bolded, whereas the title of the feature is, meaning that if the title of something catches your eye, the reader can look further and register what page number the feature will be shown. This is more important than featuring and noticing the page number first as alone, they don't mean anything.

Also featured under the 'regulars' section are sentences under each title informing the reader of what that specific feature will include. However, because these articles are features every time 'uncut' is published the reader already knows what the feature is and therefore only a little amount of information is needed.

However, the 'features' section is slightly different. Firstly, the amount of space taken up is larger as these features are only shown once and are therefore more important, therefore the reader will be more interested in this section. There is also more text featured underneath each heading which tells the reader more information about the one off articles that are throughout the magazine. The 'cover story' is also indicated in this section so the readers can see clearly where the feature that made most of them buy the magazine is, without having to search the page.

The 'review' section, although smaller, stands out due to the red background, as appose to the white on the previous two. The text has the same elements as the 'features' and 'regular' sections in the sense that the page number is not as bold as the title, however the text underneath is both short and also in-depth.

The editors note runs down the right hand side of the splash. The text size is small as it is the least important feature, however, still noticed due to the large space it takes up on the page. However, due to the space being to the side of the splash, it doesn't take the attention away from the main content.

An picture of a band that are in 'UNCUT' are shown in the top left corner of the splash. This image also features the page number, where the band feature in the magazine, at the bottom which links with a feature under the 'features' section and also lets the reader go straight to the page if they like the band in the image, meaning they don't have to read through all the text to find the article matching the image. The band also have musical instruments assisting them in the image which links with the music iconography and also the idea of the magazine.

The final section and towards the bottom of the page is 'In This Issue' which features three men who are linked to music in different ways. As these men are all ordinary it connotes realness and relate-ability, linking with the theme of 'Uncut', and showing how anyone can do something they want and be successful.

Music Magazine Contents Page Analysis #1

The contents of 'Q' magazine feature a bold title along the top centre of the page. This shows the audience what the page will contain and also shows the magazine's logo and issue number. The text 'contents' has been brought forward of the 'Q' logo as it is more important and needs to be recognised more. Also, if the audience have bought the magazine the awareness to what it is will already be there and therefore, the logo is not as relevant to the page as the title.

Featured down the left hand side of the contents page are the features, the main feature being in a larger font and also more bold that the ones below. To the right and contributing to the main feature are a selection of images of 'Kings of Leon' which links to the 'on the cover' section. This features backstage images of the band preparing for the photoshoot which gives the audience more of an insite to the bands life, and also makes them feel more involved in the shoot and leaves them with a greater connection to the band.

The main feature tells the story of 'Kings of Leon' and engages the reader by linking the story onto pages throughout the magazine, "full fighting story on page 58...", making the reader want to know more. The text also links with the shoot, "if only the followill caln would stop clouting one another with bottles... full fighting story on page 58," as 'clouting' and 'fighting' have the same tough connotations and also connotes the rugged feel that Kings of Leon portray.

However, the other features are shown different. The name of what the article is concentrating on is featured in bold and below, instead of background information about the band/artists, is information about what will be featured within the article, and also 'Q's views on the feature as a whole. By including a personal thought this makes it seem more personal and draws the audience in by making them either agree or disagree with the comment made. The title of each feature is in bold, helping it stand out from the paragraph underneath.

Featured in the bottom right of the page are two double page spread images, giving the audience a more clear idea of what is featured in the magazine, as appose to just writing which is not as clear and doesn't give the audience an accurate image of what will be featured.

Towards the bottom half of the page are smaller elements which include 'Q's website, the issue month and also a website where you can subscribe to the magazine. This, subconsciously, makes the reader want to visit these websites and find out more about the bands featured and also the magazine.