What is a Music Magazine?
The Internets definition of a music magazine is that it is 'dedicated to music and music culture. Such magazines typically include music news, interviews, photo shoots, essays, record reviews etc.' A large audience are still appealed to purchasing music magazines whether it's regularly or every now and again, it still attracts attention and is a success.
Music magazines can appeal to a wide target audience, music magazines contain many different music genres that are commonly known. Creating their own theme and making them look individual and unique.This will likely appeal to the reader and many music genres such as Metal, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Classical and many more.
Music magazines are categorised by genre, all magazines have individuality that will appeal to their particular target audience. Preferably one that is interested in the genre the music magazine is trying to advertise.
Generally, music magazines are following Blumer and Katz theory of how people follow the Uses and Gratifications. Such as having to escape from everyday lives, they can view their favourite musicians having the time of their life performing, and doing what they love best. As well as surveillance, they can keep an eye on their favourite artists by seeing when tour dates appear and if any news appears e.g. if a band unfortunately split up. More importantly, people will develop personal relationships towards the artists they like. Allowing them to also find their personal identity of how they are in life and for acceptance. Another theory music magazines correspond with is Maslows' Theory, The Hierarchy of Needs, consisting of; (bottom first) The Psychological needs, Safety needs, Belonginess, Esteem needs and finally Self-actualisation. These are all factors that need to be considered whilst making a music magazine, particularly as some of the needs are more important than the others.
It's known that music magazines often have a title, with a mast-head, which is catchy to gain attention. Also having a main image that tells the readers one of the main features in the issue, including smaller links to other articles included, featuring favourite bands and artists.
Music Institutions
Bauer Media Group
Founded in 1875, Bauer Media Group is a large German publishing company, operating 15 countries worldwide.It compromises of 282 magazines worldwide in 15 countries, as well as TV and radio stations. Bauer started in the UK with the launch of 'Bella' magazine in 1987, becoming Britain's 3rd largest publisher. Their brands also include 'Women's Weekly' and TV Listing magazines, 'TVQUICK'. H Bauer was inspired to publish a TV magazine due to the nation being TV lovers, also combining it with 'Women's Weekly' magazine features, therefore being published in 2010. Also, launching 'TVChoice' at a low price to beat its competitor; 'What's On TV', succeeding and becoming the number one magazine sold in the UK ever since. With music magazines, their brands starting out with 'Q', setting itself apart widely by using high standards of photography and text and the style consisting of Indie, Rock and Alternative. 'Q' has also expanded to Radio and Television.The Bauer Media Group also have 50% stake in UK's television company, 'Box Television', consisting of several music channels such as 'The Box' and 'Kerrang! TV'.
The Internets definition of a music magazine is that it is 'dedicated to music and music culture. Such magazines typically include music news, interviews, photo shoots, essays, record reviews etc.' A large audience are still appealed to purchasing music magazines whether it's regularly or every now and again, it still attracts attention and is a success.
Music magazines can appeal to a wide target audience, music magazines contain many different music genres that are commonly known. Creating their own theme and making them look individual and unique.This will likely appeal to the reader and many music genres such as Metal, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Classical and many more.
Music magazines are categorised by genre, all magazines have individuality that will appeal to their particular target audience. Preferably one that is interested in the genre the music magazine is trying to advertise.
Generally, music magazines are following Blumer and Katz theory of how people follow the Uses and Gratifications. Such as having to escape from everyday lives, they can view their favourite musicians having the time of their life performing, and doing what they love best. As well as surveillance, they can keep an eye on their favourite artists by seeing when tour dates appear and if any news appears e.g. if a band unfortunately split up. More importantly, people will develop personal relationships towards the artists they like. Allowing them to also find their personal identity of how they are in life and for acceptance. Another theory music magazines correspond with is Maslows' Theory, The Hierarchy of Needs, consisting of; (bottom first) The Psychological needs, Safety needs, Belonginess, Esteem needs and finally Self-actualisation. These are all factors that need to be considered whilst making a music magazine, particularly as some of the needs are more important than the others.
It's known that music magazines often have a title, with a mast-head, which is catchy to gain attention. Also having a main image that tells the readers one of the main features in the issue, including smaller links to other articles included, featuring favourite bands and artists.
Music Institutions
Bauer Media Group
Founded in 1875, Bauer Media Group is a large German publishing company, operating 15 countries worldwide.It compromises of 282 magazines worldwide in 15 countries, as well as TV and radio stations. Bauer started in the UK with the launch of 'Bella' magazine in 1987, becoming Britain's 3rd largest publisher. Their brands also include 'Women's Weekly' and TV Listing magazines, 'TVQUICK'. H Bauer was inspired to publish a TV magazine due to the nation being TV lovers, also combining it with 'Women's Weekly' magazine features, therefore being published in 2010. Also, launching 'TVChoice' at a low price to beat its competitor; 'What's On TV', succeeding and becoming the number one magazine sold in the UK ever since. With music magazines, their brands starting out with 'Q', setting itself apart widely by using high standards of photography and text and the style consisting of Indie, Rock and Alternative. 'Q' has also expanded to Radio and Television.The Bauer Media Group also have 50% stake in UK's television company, 'Box Television', consisting of several music channels such as 'The Box' and 'Kerrang! TV'.
IPC Media
Has produced over 60 iconic media brands reaching out to 2/3 of UK women and 42% of UK men. Their prints offer interests to everyone, but they are focused on three main audiences; Men, comprising wealth and leisure brands such as 'Rugyby World' and 'Country Life' magazine titles. And also lifestyle brands including 'Nuts,' and'NME' magazine titles. Mass market women, compromising fame such as 'What's on TV' and 'Now' magazine titles. Finally, Upmarket women, consisting of fashion brands such as 'Marie Claire' and 'Ideal Home' magazine titles.
Survey
I created a questionnaire on surveymonkey.co.uk (Link - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9V2QFRM ) Asking participants information on music magazines. Such as How often do you buy a music magazine? Their gender and age, so I am able to create a target audience when I create my own music magazine and also, what they enjoy and dislike about music magazines.
Music Magazine Analysis
I annotated music magazine front covers, content pages and double page spreads in able to help me when I create my own music magazine. I have mentioned features that should occur on magazines such as the Masthead, Skylines, Barcodes and Cover Lines. These will enable me to have a professional-looking music magazine and will be able to appeal to my target audience.
Double Page Spread
Contents Pages
