Magazine Analysis - Kerrang! Contents

 

Kerrang! Is a rock music magazine that is aimed at young adults who are fans of rock music.The contents page is very easy to understand since it is very clear layout which remains consistant will Kerrang! So as to make it easily recognisable. All the text is at the bottom of the page because the reader is first draw into the page by the image and are then guided to the text by means of the strapline “Kerrang! This week”. Also, young audiences are attracted to images and therefore would be drawn to the large image which would grab their attention.
It is grouped into specific subheadings, a narrative device, so that each part is easy to find and understand such as the editorial being on the left of the page and the contents stretching across the middle and righthand side. This is the same style every week so readers can feel comfortable and can recognise Kerrang!'s house style.

There are smaller images of article and features in the magazine so the reader know what to look for whilst reading the magazine and are guilded through. There are also page references underneath the images so the reader can quickly skip to that page if they are interested in reading it.

The mast head of contents is balanced by the strapline 'rival schools' making the magazine look professional but also makes the reader feel at ease. The type face of the text is consistant throughout the front cover and contents and is all in the same typeface as the main title of Kerrang! Is on the front cover. This allows the reader to recognise that the magazine corresponds with the cover and helos to guild them through the magazine. Also the vast amount of writing which fills up half of the page gives the impression that there is a lot of content, which is important for a music magazine.

Each componant of the magazine is listed in the contents in the same bold typeface as the 'contents' masthead to make it clear to the reader that there are different elements to the magazine. By doing this, it allows the reader to skip straight to the part they are most interested in. This also gives the magazine depth and connotes that the magazine is worth the money which is very important for the contents page to do since that, and the front cover, are the parts of the magazine that sell it.

In the righthand corner there is a box advertising subscriptions to Kerrang! Which is a clever way to advertise it since the contents page is one of the first things a target audience will look at. There is also the editorial on the left hand side of the magazine. This is cleverly set out since it is both an entry point (the editor looking at the camera) but also a mode of address as the editor is writing as though he is talking to the audience and does so in a friendly, casual manner. It is also only a small amount of writing so the audience can either skim over it or ignore it completely which is ideal for the target audience since most are part of the 'MTV generation'. Subscriptions to a magazine are a big advantage for publishing institutions because it means that they have a definate income of money for a set amount of time, whereas if a reader only buys the magazine a few times a year then the institution loses out on a vast amount of money.

In the editorial, he speaks about the members of the Kerrang! Team and how difficult it can be to make it big in music now. He also describes features of the magazine, gives page numbers and his own opinion which allows the reader to see the magazine from another persons point of view. This makes it seem more personal which is intensified by the fact that it is signed with his own signature.

The main image on the contents page connotes the fun and excitement people feel when at gigs; a major part of the rock genre. This is done by the fact he is smiling but not quite at the camera, making it seem more genuine. He also does not looks glamorous or sexy and he isn't posing which emphasises the fact that rock music is most focused on the music and not the musicians.

The majority of the text is written in capital letters which connotes loudness, such as the name Kerrang! And relates to the genre of music. It also makes the text easier to read, especially if being read while in public such as on a train or bus. This type of text is a convention of this genre of music magazines.

The majority of the images are dark and all of the smaller text is written in black ink which links with the front cover which is also dark. This appeals to the target audience who often prefer to dress in darker colours. The background is white which makes the darker pictures stand out as it is a light and dark contrast. The contrast of the bright yellow, however, stands out very distinctly against the dark shades and therefore quickly draw the audiences attention towards it. Also the vibrant shades across the dark background connotes explosion and aggression, a common trait of rock music.

The contents page uses images of artists that are looking at the camera to create a direct mode of address and make the reader feel as though the artist is talking to them and therefore entice the reader to buy it. The editoral also does this by addressing the reader as a friend and recommending the pages they should read. There are details of subscription in the corner where the reader can has the chance to interact with the magazine by purchasing the issues every week in an agreement where they can also receive a discount. The language in the editorial is casual and friendly, which would attract the reader to the magazine since they would be able to relate to the editor.

The main focus of the contents page is to reinforce to the reader the genre of music it specialises in and building a connection with the reader. The typeface used is easy to read and the language used is simple to understand, making it appealing to the target audience from both first time readers and those that buy it every week.
The layout has no overlapping or confusing elements, making it simple to understand and aesetically pleasing to the eye.

In conclusion, Kerrang! follows several conventions within the contents page such as the narratuve device of the page numbers, the main image being the focus and having the masthead at the top of the page. Following these conventions make the magazine appeal to the target audience because it makes it clear to the reader that they are reading a music magazine.