This document provides information about 10 popular music magazines: - Kerrang!, NME, Rolling Stone, Vibe, Top of the Pops, Q, Billboard, Uncut, Spin, and Mixmag. For each magazine, 1-2 paragraphs summarize the publisher, target audience, history, and areas of music coverage. The document also lists the editor and brief descriptions for Kerrang! and NME.

1. Music Magazine Research

2. Available Music Magazines:
• Kerrang!
• NME
• Rolling Stone
• Vibe
• Top of the Pops
• Q
• Billboard
• Uncut
• Spin
• Mixmag

3. Kerrang!
Publisher – Bauer Media Group
(http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands on this website there are a list of other
magazines this company has created.)
Editor – James McMahon
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music. Kerrang! Was named after
the onomatopoeic word that derives from the sound made when playing a power cord
on an electric guitar, Kerrang! was initially devoted to the New Wave of British Heavy
Metal and the rise of hard rock acts. In the early 2000s it became the best-selling
British music newspaper.

4. NME
The New Musical Express, popularly known by the initialism NME,
created by Theodore Lloyd-Jones, it is a music publication in the United
Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music
newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the
1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to
include a singles chart, in the 14 November 1952 edition. In the 1970s it
became the best-selling British music newspaper. During the period 1972
to 1976 it was particularly associated with gonzo journalism, then became
closely associated with punk rock through the writing of Tony Parsons and
Julie Burchill.

5. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-Based magazine published every two weeks which is devoted to
music, liberal politics, and popular culture. In 1967, Rolling Stone was founded in San
Francisco, California, by Jann Wenner ‒ who is still the magazine's chief editor ‒ and
music critic, Ralph J. Gleason.
Rolling Stone is known for its political coverage which began in the 1970s by the
enigmatic and controversial gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson. In the 1990s, the
magazine changed its format to appeal to a younger readership interested in youth-
oriented television shows, movie actors, and popular music. This led to criticism that
the magazine was emphasizing style over substance. The magazine is now known for
its strong liberal bent, and less-than-reliable reviews among music fans.
In recent years, the magazine has resumed its traditional mix of content, including in-
depth political stories. It also has expanded content to include acclaimed coverage of
financial and banking issues. As a result, the magazine has seen its circulation increase
and its reporters invited as experts to network television programs of note.

6. Vibe
Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The
publication predominantly features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other
entertainers. After shutting down production in Summer 2009, Vibe was purchased by
the private equity investment fund InterMedia Partners and is now issued every-other
month with double covers, with a larger online presence. The magazine's target
demographic is predominantly young, urban followers of hip-hop culture.
The magazine owed its success to featuring a broader range of interests than its
closest competitors The Source and XXL which focus more narrowly on rap music, or
the rock & pop-centric Rolling Stone and Spin. As of June 30, 2012, Vibe had a
circulation of 300,943, of which 202,439 was paid, and 98,504 was non paid.
Advertisers ran the gamut from record labels to fashion houses to various cognac
brands.

7. Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops magazine is a monthly publication published by BBC Magazines. It
features chart information, star gossip, fashion and beauty advice, quizzes, song lyrics
and posters. It is a supplementary magazine for the TV show Top of the Pops.
The magazine was launched in February 1995, and is famous for giving girl group The
Spice Girls their nicknames. Alongside a revamp of the TV show. It was originally
marketed as the missing link between Smash Hits and NME, but its format was
gradually changed, with less music content and a demographic shift to young girls. It is
still in publication despite the cancellation of the TV show.
The title has had several editors over the years, including Peter Lorraine, Corinna
Schaffer and Rosalie Snaith, and contributing editors including Adam Tanswell. Its
current editor is Peter Hart.

8. Q
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.
Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the
time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were
buying CDs — then still a new technology. Q was first published in October 1986,
setting itself apart from much of the other music press with monthly production and
higher standards of photography and printing. In the early years, the magazine was
sub-titled "The modern guide to music and more". Originally it was to be called Cue
(as in the sense of cueing a record, ready to play), but the name was changed so that it
wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine. Another reason, cited in Q's 200th
edition, is that a single-letter title would be more prominent on newsstands.

9. Billboard
Billboard is an international news magazine devoted to music and the music industry,
and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several
internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums
in various categories on a weekly basis. The two most notable charts are the Billboard
Hot 100, which ranks the top 100 songs regardless of genre and is based on digital
sales, radio airplay, and internet streaming data; and the Billboard 200, the
corresponding chart for album sales

10. Uncut
Uncut was launched in May 1997 as "a monthly magazine aimed at 25- to 45-year-old men that focuses
on music and movies", edited by Allan Jones (former editor of Melody Maker). Jones has stated that
"[t]he idea for Uncut came from my own disenchantment about what I was doing with Melody Maker.
There was a publishing initiative to make the audience younger; I was getting older and they wanted to
take the readers further away from me", specifically referring to the then dominant Britpop genre.
According to IPC Media, 86% of the magazine's readers are male and their average age is 37 years.
Uncut's contents include lengthy features on old albums, interviews with film directors, music and film
news, and reviews of all major new album, film and DVD releases. Its music features tend to focus on
genres such as Americana, rock and alternative country. Each month the magazine includes a free CD,
which may include both new and older music. Special Issues have covered Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Bruce
Springsteen, The Byrds, David Bowie, Demon Records, Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Queen,
Martin Scorsese, Motown Records, Morrissey, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin and more.
Uncut underwent a radical redesign in May 2006, as a result of which the magazine no longer catered
for books and reduced its film content.
Allan Jones writes a regular monthly column, recounting stories from his long career in music
journalism.
Uncut's monthly circulation has dropped from over 90,000 in 2007 to 75,518 in the second half of 2009.

11. Spin
In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-
oriented rock music and on the on-going emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if
sometimes haphazard. It pointedly provided a national alternative to Rolling Stone's more
establishment-oriented style. Spin prominently placed newer artists such as R.E.M., Prince, Run-D.M.C.,
Eurythmics, Beastie Boys, and Talking Heads, on its covers and did lengthy features on established
figures such as Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Miles Davis, Aerosmith, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, and John Lee
Hooker—Bart Bull's article on Hooker won the magazine its first major award.
Putting black artists and women artists on the cover was considered a risk–potentially damaging
newsstand sales. Moreover, the magazine devoted itself to a long term set of investigative pieces on the
AIDS crisis at a time when even gay publications were concerned about losing advertisers by doing
coverage of the disease. On a cultural level, the magazine devoted significant coverage to hard-core
punk, alternative country, reggae and world music, experimental rock, jazz of the most adventurous
sort, the burgeoning college rock and underground music scenes of the 1980s, and a variety of fringe
styles. Artists such as the Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie, X, Black Flag, and the former members of the
Sex Pistols, The Clash, and the early punk/New Wave movement were cultural heritage pioneers in
Spin's editorial mix, and were reviewed, featured, and mentioned constantly at a time when Rolling
Stone and other publications scarcely acknowledged their existence Spin's extensive coverage of hip-
hop music and culture, especially that of contributing editor John Leland, was notable at a time when
no other national publication was paying serious attention to the genre.

12. Mixmag
Mixmag is a British electronic dance and clubbing magazine, published in London,
England. It styles itself as "the world's biggest selling dance music magazine", with an
Audit Bureau of Circulations audited circulation of approximately 20,000 (1 January
2011 – 31 December 2011). Launched in 1982 in the United Kingdom, the magazine
covers dance events, and reviews music and club nights.

13. Colour
The use of red as the Q Front Cover Sub Heading
background colour of the
masthead is effective as it could The use of sans serif font makes the
represent danger, or passion text simple and easy to
both of these things are read/understand. The text included is
involved within this magazine. attention grabbing and gives a clear
indication of the story line. The font
also looks uniformed and neat which
links back to the magazine being
formal and upper class.
Masthead
Uses a serif font which has little flicks Main Image
in a certain area of the letter. This The medium close up shot of Florence
makes the magazine seem more Welch is the main focus of the front
formal and upper class. Using the cover. The use of her focus in the image
white over the red background works makes the front cover more intense.
well as this also makes it look more As she is a recent celebrity this would
sophisticated giving a clear view of work for both males and females as the
who is the target audience. target audience. Women idolise her
whereas men see her as a sex object.
Hence why 67.2% of the magazine
audience are male and only 32.8% are
female. Also the highest percentage
age range is 15-24 with 38.3%.
Buzz Word
The use of ‘GIG BLOW-OUT’ makes Plug
the audience intrigued to what other Using the colour blue which contracts
exciting things are in the magazine with the ginger of Florence Welch’s
also what the rest of this story could ginger hair draw automatic attention
be revealed. to the magazine.
Layout
Barcode The layout of this front cover is very
A barcode is used for all magazines. sophisticated and the colours work
However in this magazine the very well together to create a bold
barcode almost finishes off the front cover. The use of the white font
cover as it puts a blunt stop to the works well on top of this as the
text giving it a neat finish. colours compliment each other.

14. Q
The repetition of the magazine logo
Q Contents Page Date
before the masthead and sub The font size of the date in this page
headings makes the titles more is quite large. This adds to the
unique and claims the titles to be impression that this magazine is a
their own and more personal. special edition and it will draw the
readers attention making them want
Menu Strip
to buy it.
In the menu strip only certain pages
have been picked out of the whole
magazine as the editor and producer Main Image
believe these would be the main Using this image of a modern band
stories that the audience would want will also grab the readers attention as
to read. This is also a unique layout they will want to find out the latest
for the menu strip as it is isn’t very gossip further inside the magazine
often you see only selected pages making the reader buy the magazine
written in the contents it’s usually all to carry on reading.
the pages. Also the font is sans serif
which makes it formal and easy to
read. Features Highlight
Selecting this story line from the
menu strip is highlighting a specific
Buzz Word
story which the magazine editors and
The use of ‘Oasis Special’ makes this
publishers believe the audience will
edition of the magazine seem more
be most interesting in and want to
limited therefore the amount of
read. Adding an image to this
people that buy the magazine will
highlight makes the story line seem
rise. Also the buzz word is written in
more important.
gold whereas nothing else on the
page is that colour making this
section seem more important.
Regular Features
The continuation of the menu strip at
the bottom is also in the font style of
sans serif making it clear and easy to
read. The regular features that
appear monthly in the magazine will
be familiar to the audience as they
will be used to seeing it every month.
Therefore this helps to persuade the
audience to buy the magazine
monthly to get the extras.

15. Main Image
Sub heading
Q Double page spread
This image is a medium
close up of Lady Gaga. There doesn’t seem o be a title on this double page spread just the artist name (Lady Gaga). Lady is in serif and is all in
However in this photo lower case, whereas gaga is in capital letters but still in the serif font. Therefore the magazine believe that Lady Gaga is
enough of the image is well known and people will know who she is rather than having to write her name in as a heading.
shown to make the
image suggestive
involving the male gaze
as all she I wearing is a Large Drop
thick necklace, also she Capital
is still cupping her A drop capital is
breast. The audience usually only used
can clearly see this at the beginning
image of Lady Gaga has of the text
some significance as it however this
takes up half of the specific drop
double page spread. capital fills the
With the image been whole of the
edited to grey scale second half of the
makes the photo look double page
more sophisticated and showing clear
classy which is what importance. Also
seems to be portrayed this draws
throughout the whole attention to the
magazine. Her focus in text as the drop
the image is clearly capital is serif and
towards the audience is red. This is the
which would make the only colourful
reader have a clear item on the page
connection with the which makes it
image making them stand out as it
want to read the story juxtaposes the
that comes along side of Layout black, white and
it. The colour scheme throughout the double page Small Drop Capital grey image and
spread is black, white and red. This shows the Drop capitals are usually at the start of the article other font.
sophisticated side to the magazine. Also these however; in this magazine they are used to start
colours are contrasting with each other creating a different paragraphs. The use of these smaller drop
bold and classic look to the double page spread. capitals separate the text giving a beginning, middle
and end. However these drop capitals are also serif
and they add a classy and sophisticated theme to the
magazine.

16. Date and price
Kicker
The use of the kicker helps to draw
Rolling Stone Front Cover This magazine doesn’t have a barcode
the audience to buy the magazine like most magazines making it
as it gives a feel of what is going to individual and unique. However the
be inside the magazine. By naming pricing on the magazine is in dollars
a few big artists will help people making it clear it is an American
buy the magazine. Also the singers magazine.
listed are all from different genres Masthead
of music therefore there will be The masthead is written in serif
something for all different types of making the magazine look more
people within the magazine. formal. Also with the main image
covering the masthead shows that
Main Image the magazine is well known and
This image of Megan Fox is a medium they do not need to show the
long shot. This works effectively as it whole name of the magazine for it
shows enough of the body to introduce to sell as it is already popular. The
the male gaze also there is a definite use of colour within the masthead
show of her tattoo which makes her is a unisex colour welcoming both
‘bad’ therefore appealing to males. This genders. Also this colour
makes Megan Fox a sexual object to represents love, passion and
the male audience uprising the amount danger and as said in a sub heading
of people that buy the magazine. Also ‘America’s sexiest bad girl’. The use
the female audience will see Megan of the masthead links all the
Fox as a modern role model and will features together on the page.
inspire to be like her so they will also
buy the magazine with the intention
that it will help them to look more like Subheading
her. The percentage of males that buy The sub headings in this front
the magazine is 61.3% which shows cover are written in the font serif
that the majority of the audience is which makes them look more
male and that placing a women with formal. However the main title for
this type of appeal on the male shows each subheading is written in a
that it will increase the amount of smaller size and in grey whereas
magazines bought. Megan Fox is the part that you thought would be
overlapping the masthead which shows less bold is written larger and in
that she is the main feature on this black making the magazine more
Buzz word
magazine and that part that draws all unique and memorable.
Introducing some more famous
the attention. Also her focus draws all artists will draw more attention to
the attention as it appears she is the people who are not drawn in
staring straight at you therefore by the main image.

17. Masthead
The title for the Rolling Stone contents page
contents page is
quite hidden within
the page. Also
shortening it to ‘RS’
also shows that the
magazine is well Main image
known and not the The use of this image in the
full name is needed contents page shows that this
for the magazine to magazine is for all ages as there
be recognised. is a bit of everything in there for
Image everyone. This image would
Using a smaller image in colour most probably not appeal to 18-
next to the main image shows 30 year olds however if a 40-50
that there are lots of different year old person was to pic up
stories of different genres the magazine and read beyond
within the magazine. Therefore the front cover they would be
this will help to show that the able to see that the magazine is
magazine can appeal to all for all ages. Within this image
audience ages and genres. both of the people are smiling
and look like they are having fun
therefore the audience will
want to read on and see why
Menu Strip they are dancing and smiling in
This magazine also only the image.
selects the main stories
within the magazine to put Main Story
I the contents page this The main stories have
works well as the reader been enlarged to make
would be able to find the sure they are the first
story they were looking for stories read as they are the
quickly and not having to most important. The font
search all of the magazine. for both the stories is serif
The colour use in the whereas in the menu strip
menu strip is very formal they are in sans serif. Also
and the use of sans serif the page numbers that the
creates a more formal look stories are on are as large
to the magazine. as the heading of the
story, this is one of the
first things that you see.

18. Rolling Stone double page spread
Quote
The use of this quote from Lily
Alan makes the audience feel Main Image
like the magazine is more This image of Lily Alan is
personal as if she is actually not as attention grabbing
talking to them and as she is a and the quote and that is
modern celebrity this would so bold it seems to over
draw a lot of attention from an power everything else.
audience. The use of what is However in the image Lily
said within the quote draws the Alan looks very casual and
attention of the reader as it informal. The contrast of
makes an interesting first her red checked shirt next
impression of the story making to the black and white
the audience want to red more. works very well as it brings
The font is sans serif however it colour and boldness to the
still looks informal as it is all page. The expression on
jagged and looks like newspaper her face shows attitude
cut outs. This informal aspect this also contributes to the
links to the age of Lily Alan and informal side of the
what she is wearing in the magazine.
photo.
Article
The amount of text in this article is very little as the main
Layout
image and quote take up a lot of the page. There are only
The overall layout of this page is the main colours are black, white and read. This
four columns in this article this also shows that is it quite an
works well in this page as it adds to the gothic, emo stereotype that is linked to how
immature page for the magazine as it doesn’t have much
Lily Alan’s appearance portrays her. This page seems quite empty and spacious
text. However as Lily Alan is a young women a lot of young
compared to other magazine double page spreads. This works well as it give the
people will want to read the article so perhaps this article
informal and almost immature feel to the magazine. The way the image takes over
was designed for the younger audience.
half of the double page spread shows importance of the image and that it is a clear
link to the magazine article. But the quote overlaps the main image making that
seem more important part to the page.

19. Masthead
The masthead in this front cover seems Billboard Front Cover
out of place for this magazine however it
is the same masthead design used for all
the Billboard magazine. However in this Main Image
specific edition of the magazine the in The image of Beyoncé is a close up.
fills of colours in the masthead don’t fit This works well and is different as
in with the magazine and make it look they are not using the celebrities
quite childish and less elegant and grown body as a way to gain readers but
up. The masthead is written in sans serif simply just her good looks. Also
making it clear and easy to read also Beyoncé is the background of all
making it look more formal. Also the the writing, this is unusual for the
colour white works well and is Billboard magazine as they usually
complimentary towards the main image pace the celebrities image over the
colours. majority of the magazine masthead.
Although the image is not showing
Competition the body of Beyoncé it is using a
This will make the audience want sexual focus of her biting
to buy this magazine for the chance something to gain the male
to see Beyoncé live and to win the audience as well as the female
tickets for free. audience.
Subheading
Subheading
The use of Beyoncé written in one of
The font used for this subheading is
the largest texts on the page almost
extremely feminine and will draw
makes this specific edition of the
automatic attention to the
magazine seem devoted to her.
magazine for females. Also that the
Almost as if it is a one of and that
text is written in white as a
they will never do a magazine like
feminine edge to the magazine
this one gain. This will make the
front cover. Also the text that is
Beyoncé fan base want to buy the
included is ‘Live at Roseland’ this
magazine as they will want to know
will draw Beyoncé's fan base to the
all the gossip about her inside the
magazine as they will be wondering
magazine. Having Beyoncé written in
when as they may want to see her
sans serif makes the magazine
live so they will have to buy the
portray Beyoncé as a very formal and
magazine to find out as it doesn’t
classy women,
give away all the information on the
Barcode front cover.
A barcode is used for all magazines. However in this magazine the barcode
almost finishes off the front cover as it puts a blunt stop to the text giving it a
neat finish.

20. Masthead Logo
The masthead in the contents page Billboard contents page Using the logo on the contents page
is very bold and stands out and it is again shows the immaturity they
written in the sans serif font making have portrayed with the colourful in
it look more formal and grown up. fills in the letters making the
The use of lines throughout the intended audience to be aimed at
masthead makes it look more young adults and teenagers.
individual and this draws the
audiences focus. The use of
Sub heading
‘contents’ written in capital letters
This No1 in the sub heading is
and in a bold black colour makes it
written in the same font as the
more striking and attention
masthead but in white whereas the
grabbing.
masthead is written in black. This
Image works well as these are both
Using a line of smaller images contrasting colours and are very
without any text to introduce the close together on the contents
story line grabs the attention of the page. Also the use of writing makes
audience and makes them want to the audience want to know what is
read on to find what the story line is hot on the charts so they can be up
behind these images. The only to date with the music they listen to
information this gives away is the also there may be new songs out
page number to find the story also that they haven’t yet heard so they
the celebrities in the images are listen to them after reading this
well known and this will work well magazine contents page.
also to intrigue the audience.
Main Image
The main image in this contents
page works well as he is a modern
famous person so this will draw the
Extra Information audiences attention. Also he is a
This advertises the website and younger celebrity which girls may
other events that the magazine has find a heart throb or an attractive
been involved with. This will help to male so they will want to buy the
increase the readers and the magazine to read the latest gossip in
amount of views. Also the amount his life and see what is happening.
of tickets sold for an event.

21. Billboard double page spread Main Image
This image is a medium
close up of Kaytie
Stoeney. In this image
the female is fully
Masthead dressed so the
The masthead is magazine is not trying
written in both serif to use the male gaze to
and sans serif font draw in readers,
making this double therefore the magazine
page spread seem must mainly be aimed
informal and laid at women. The
back. The use of audience can clearly see
black makes the this image of Kaytie
masthead bold and Stoeney has some
one of the first significance as it takes
things you look at on up half of the double
the page. Using the page spread. The way
celebrities name as she is posed makes her
the title shows that look immature and that
the celebrity isn’t her main target
very popular and audience may be
well known so the younger teenagers . Her
name is needed to focus in the image is
introduce her to the clearly towards the
world and hopefully audience which would
gain her more fans. make the reader have a
clear connection with
the image making them
want to read the story
that comes along side of
it.
Quote
The use of the quote work well as it will make the audience feel more Layout
connected to the celebrity. This will work well as it will help to draw in an The overall colours of this layout are grey, white, pink and black.
audience to the magazine. These colours work well together and create quite a feminine effect
making it more appealing for women and girls to buy the magazine.
The grey background works well as it is a pastel colour and makes
everything stand out more.