Kerrang music magazine

analysis
Becky Ung

The masthead is shown to be bold
and ragged around the edges. This
connotes a sense of edginess as they
are implying that they are rough
which the target audience which are
young adults (17-25) and they appeal
to this type of behaviour because it is
seen as cool. The colour red connotes
danger which also complies with the
statement above about
rebelliousness. The use of the red
also resembles an alarm which is
quite loud so in turn relates to the
music genre of the magazine which is
mainly rock and punk. There is also
an exclamation point at the end of
kerrang connoting urgency and
excitement similar to the music
genre and perhaps the musicians
featured in the magazine as well as
their articles.
The secondary images used at
the bottom left corner feature
different artists and is posed as
a selection which may attract
the audience as they may see
artists which they also like. The
posters are seen as a gift and
are highlighted at the bottom
with yellow as a special gift for
the readers. The ethnicity of the
target audience seems to be
centered around white people as
the people in the front cover are
all white.
FRONT COVER
specified to males. It attempts to cater to
The barcode, issue number, date and
price are placed at the bottom right
of the magazine which is an essential
feature to a magazine which is one of
the things which identifies it as one.
It is priced at 2.50 which connotes
that the target audience are working
class as it is not too expensive.
The colour scheme of the magazine involve
the colours yellow and red. These are
generally bold colours as they stand out
giving an impression of alertness. Yellow
also connotes happiness which challenges
the code of conventions as stereotypically,
the representation of rock magazines are
meant to be dark and broody but this
magazine is counteracting with that
stereotype to create a more upbeat
magazine with the same content as a
normal punk rock magazine. They also use
colours like yellow and red therefore
suggesting that the target audience is
females by putting a few females as
secondary images but it is more likely to be
for males as rock and punk are genres
associated mostly with males.
The cover lines contain direct address with
the use of words like you and your. This
implies that they want the readers be feel
more involved as it is directly aimed at
them in an attempt to lure them in and
make them comfortable reading the
magazine. The cover line are also kept
simplistic in terms of font size, colour and
the amount of cover lines the front cover
contain. This is in order to keep the
magazine from looking tacky and cheap. It
also maintains the central focus around the
main image and cover line.
 FRONT COVER CONTINUED
The main image shows three men with
quirky expression. This connotes that
they are playful and it also
compliments their music style which is
pop punk so although the genre punk
generally is quite dark, the use of pop
also makes them seem more positive.
However, they do keep with the
specific genre of punk through mise-
en-scene with the use of costumes.
They are all seen wearing black t-shirts
and trousers which connotes that they
are not completely in the genre of pop
and still hold some aspects of
punk/rock. The use of gestures also
shows that they have a close bond
which therefore connotes that theyre a
band and are friendly with each other
as they maintain physical contact.
Stereotypically, pop punk bands are
rebellious and a bit crazy and this main
image implies that as they are wearing
neutral clothing as well as facial
expression that connote a I dont care
attitude. The main image is taken of
the band, blink-182 and it is taken as a
medium long shot. Only one of the
members are staring straight into the
camera using direct address and the
other members are seen staring at him
which suggests that he is the leader of
the band.
The main cover line is POP PUNK
OVERLOAD which implies the type of
edition and articles the magazine
may contain. Using the rule of thirds,
the main coverline is located near the
hot spots highlighting the importance
of the article as it is the one they want
readers to read. It uses a gradient
colour of red and orange which gives
an effect of fire, further emphasising
the excitement of the articles whilst
also connoting danger like the
masthead. This is also associated with
young males as they stereotypically
like danger and they are quite relaxed
and nonchalant about life. Alongside
the main cover line is a list of artists
scripted like an equation. This is
anchored to the main image as one of
the bands are listed. The cover line
underneath the main cover line is
Three megastars unite for the tour
youve always dreamed of!. This
makes the bands seem like theyre
idyllic as they are uniting together to
create the ultimate tour as they are
described as megastars and the tour
combines all three into one show. This
may attract the target audience as
they may like all three stars and want
to see them all in one show.
 FRONT COVER CONTINUED

Reading and Leeds are also festivals

where young people go to. This is the
tagline as it aims to attract this
younger demographic and older people
are less likely to attend and be
interested in these types of gigs and
However, they do attempt to reach
festivals.
out to older audiences by using
the puff UNSEEN NIRVANA which
would connote an older band
which younger people are perhaps
less likely to know about and so it
would be seen as exclusive for the
older demographic. A puff is used
to highlight unseen nirvana. This
appeals to the target audience as
it is emphasised as something that
is highly exclusive making the
article more desirable and special
to read. .
The contents title uses a different font
to the front cover page and is kept
CONTENTS
simplistic with the a white font and a The editors message contains a
black stroke. This is so the reader picture of the editors making the
doesnt get confused in what the main magazine seem more informal
colour scheme is. There are also and allows the readers to
secondary images such as a familiarise with the people writing
megaphone, skulls, bottles and Ouija the magazine which also provides
boards. This connotes individuality and a personal aspect to the
gives an aspect of edginess as these are magazine putting the audience at
things that are associated the dare- ease. It is also written off by a
devils and risk takers of the target signed signature. They also input
audience of young people. They also some page numbers in the
resemble tattoo designs so may appeal editors message, almost as a
to a niche audience of youths that likes recommendation from the editor
doing these adventurous things. so readers may be appealed to
the articles. Young people also
The layout of the magazine is structured speak in that kind of casual tone
with the page information on the right so they may feel familiar with the
side of the page and a main image on The main image
language used. is a man singing into
the left side. The larger image is to the microphone whilst holding a
perhaps highlight another article guitar, obviously relating to the genre
besides the main image on the front of the magazine which is music. The
cover. This is an attempt to advertise mise-en-scene through the use of
something else as it will catch the props shows a guitar and microphone
readers eye. The page doesnt really use which connotes the content of the
the rule of thirds as most of it is article which is perhaps a
structured as a list to the side to make it performance. This is then confirmed
seems professional and to make it look by the anchored article title and page
aesthetically pleasing. number.
The shot is a medium shot. The man
The contents uses second person as in the image is shown to have an
The colour scheme of the contents
direct address to make the reader eccentric outfit which is a floral design
page is quite neutral with the main
feel more involved as if theyre as
colours such as black, white and Thesome may pages
contents perceive pink flowers
challenge the to
writing these articles specially for the be feminine.
yellow to highlight certain things such code of convention by instead of
specific readers.
as the title of certain sections. listing the page numbers with their
page titles, it is written as a passage
with bracketed page numbers which
allows more insight to the article.
 CONTENTS The main image is a man singing into
the microphone whilst holding a
guitar, obviously relating to the genre
The contents uses second of the magazine which is music. The
person as direct address mise-en-scene through the use of
to make the reader feel props shows a guitar and microphone
more involved as if which connotes the content of the
theyre writing these
article which is perhaps a
articles specially for the
performance. It also connotes the
specific readers. lifestyle of the target audience that
may like to play guitar in their free
time as it is acoustic or they may
enjoy live performances such as this.
This is then confirmed by the
anchored article title and page
number.
The shot is a medium shot. The man
in the image is shown to have an
eccentric outfit which is a floral design
as some may perceive pink flowers to
be feminine.

The contents pages challenge the

The colour scheme of the contents
page is quite neutral with the main
colours such as black, white and
yellow to highlight certain things such
as the title of certain sections.
code of convention by instead of
listing the page numbers with their
page titles, it is written as a passage
with bracketed page numbers which
allows more insight to the article.
The layout of the double
page spread is structured DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD The images used are
so the majority of the main
of the same band
image takes up most of
members on the
both of the pages. The left
front cover page.
page has the main title to
They are shown with
take up most of that page.
mostly neutral
The columns are then
expressions which
structured into two columns
connote that they
and neatly bordered out
are emotionless just
with a white background to
like their music, It
contrast and separate itself
also depicts that
from the main background
they are cool and
image in order for the
edgy individuals that
reader to be able to read it
youths may look up
easily.
to.
Although there are quite a few
empty gap, the empty gaps are
filled with a textured background
so it does not look out of place. In
addition, only the outside spaces
are empty and a huge image and
title takes up the majority of the
page making the double page
spread look structured and The font used in the main title MAKE AMERICA SKATE
aesthetically pleasing so it does AGAIN denotes the American flag colours, red, blue and
not make the reader white suggesting the nationality of the band which is
uncomfortable. American. The skate part of the title is written in a graffiti
The page uses colours that are quite dull apart from the like font suggesting that it is some sort of rebellion against
title, suggesting the relation to the music genre the band the formal slogan. It is a twist to the political slogan Make
is which is rock. This is because rock is a genre that has America Great Again used by the likes of Donald Trump
a dark tone and bright, neon colours are very rarely which implies the content of the article is something that
associated with it. The stereotype behind rock is that the counteracts something politically.
music is meant to be sad, angry or aggressive and the
colours, black which connotes death and grey which
connotes depression emphasises it. The target audience
may also be appealed to this colour scheme as most
people that like the genre, rock find these colours
pleasing.
 DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
The blue and red font also are
known to be masculine
colours as they connote
confidence, more often
associated with males. The
red also connotes anger and
courage, which are very
masculine traits.
This goes with the target
audience as they are
generally young males and
they are quite toned down
compared to being bold in the
front cover.

The byline which is anchored with the main image gives a sort
of introduction about who the band are as people and also
what the article may be about which is the tour. The mode of
address is also directed to the readers as it says join us as its
The use of props using the skateboard
as if the writing style will almost be like a journey for the
also connotes that it is for young people viewers making them feel part of the band itself.
as well as males because male youths
are known to skateboard as it is a
boyish sport. It is also known to be
associated with white people as it was
typically known as a white suburban
sport.
so it could make the target audience
relate to the band as it shows theyre
like young target audience
 The representation of the three men depict them to
be young and carefree. Typically, they are not not
seen to be troublemakers but more of a cool band.
As they are three white males, stereotypically their
music may not combine with their personality and
they may not be as loud or as boisterous as the
genre of rock stereotypically puts them out to be.

Grab quotes are made bigger and are singled out

from the passage to catch the readers eye so they
would want to see what makes them say that.

The secondary images used show an insight of

the bands life. They are seen a lot happier
therefore suggesting there is more to them than
what the main image suggested. The captions
anchored with the images show what the image
is about so readers may want to read more into
the article. The images are laid out in a sort of
messy, overlapping layout which makes it feel
more personal to the readers as it looks like
pictures being laid on top of each other for
readers to view.

On the last double page spread, a mini personality

questionnaire is presented in handwriting font
making the mode of address more personal to the
reader as its as if they are writing it for the
viewers.

The drop cap is used enhances the aesthetic of the

article which starts off the article similar to a story.
This marks the importance of the column as it is the
starting point and also it highlights a new story they
are going to talk about.
 Identify what all 3 have in common

What they have in common is that the main

image of each page has people wearing neutral
clothing which connotes that they want to
emphasise the genre of music which is rock
and to do this, the neutral colours connote
darkness and sad/aggressive undertones which
are generally male associated traits.

Another similarity is that they seem to follow a

rule to attract cool, edgy young audiences and
use popular musicians that are known for this
type of personality. The style, font and layout
also compliments this which is usually using
styles that are associated with youths.

All three are also quite centered on white people as

there isnt much mention of any other ethnicities and
they dont particularly aim to cater to any other
ethnicity.