Question 1

We think music magazines are so popular because

·      Articles with musicians

·      ?

·      ?

Using examples, how far do you agree? (15 marks)

I absolutely agree that articles with musicians are a highly influential factor in the reasoning behind the popularity of music magazines. Articles including artists are repeatedly included in issues of magazines to attract a particular target audience. Both NME and Top of the Pops feature articles that will appeal to their target market. For example, the17^th November edition of NME – which features an article with Jack Bugg - references other bands - The Vaccines and The Maccabees – to help the audience feel a sense of pride that they are aware of the bands mentioned in the article; thus creating personal identity as the audience realise the kind of music they’re interested in. Using an intertextual heading – ‘The Times They Are Changing’ - once again enables the audience to feel a sense of intelligence as they understand the inside joke that Jake Bugg is the modern Bob Dylan; which wouldn’t be understood by people who aren’t interested in this type of music. The image of Jake which takes up half the page portrays Jake as slightly moody, not giving eye contact to the reader, holding his guitar to highlight his skills as a musician and to reinforce to the audience that he’s all about his music. His closed eyes suggest that he’s lost in the music and that he’s not interested in people’s opinions of him, just their opinions of his music. Similarly, in the 4^th December edition of Top of the Pops uses an intertextual reference to Rita Ora’s ‘How We Do’ to once again enable the audience feel a sense of intelligence that they knew the song without the name being mentioned. The article itself contains no reference to Little Mix’s music itself, simply a cheeky interview that highlights their secrets of a night out; however this is effective because the target audience could relate to this light hearted topic. The image that takes up half of the page portrays the Little Mix girls to be endearing with the direct address and facial expressions of excitement and happiness. Overall, both articles target different audience thus their creation being for different purposes. However, I believe that NME contained a more effective article in its attempt to portray the talent of musician, Jake Bugg. Both magazines address the uses and gratifications theory. NME, creates entertainment for the reader as the article portrays Bugg to be slightly sarcastic and arrogant which fans of him may find endearing. The article informs the reader of Bugg’s rise to fame as a 19 year old, musician who completely opposes stars who use The X Factor as a platform to fame.  Personal identity is formed amongst the audience as the reference to other bands – of a similar style – enables the reader to know the genre/style of music they like. Also personal relationships are created with Bugg as readers may feel as if they’re getting to know the real him. Top of the Pops creates entertainment as we are informed of Little Mix’s shocking party secrets. Personal relationships are created as the reader may feel as if they’re beginning to see Little Mix for who they really are. Personal identity is formed as the audience begin to realise the genre of music they’re interested in. Although I agree that articles with musicians are a vital factor in the popularity behind music magazines but I also believe that other factors such as reviews is also a highly contributing factor. To summarise, NME and Top od the Pops are contrasting magazines due to the difference in purpose and target audience. NME is increasingly popular with an older audience as its language is suitable and the content is far more relevant – the article is actually about Jake Bugg’s music. This covers the majority of people who typically read music magazines, which contrasts with Top of the Pops, which aimed is at a more niche audience of young, females. 

Mock Exam

1.   I agree that music magazines are popular because they provide a reliable source of information. For example NME often features bands such as Elbow and Coldplay in which they describe trusted albm, gig and signle reviews. I also agree that readers enjoy their favourite musicians which, as a magazine reader myself, know is true; even if audiences have never heard of the magazine and never thought they would buy it, would happily buy spend their own money if the main feature included images and/or interviews with their favourite artist. Additionally, I agree that they enjoy interacting either with letters to magazines or forums on websites on websites. In this day and age, using the internet is a very successful way of interacting with fans through social media. This enables the readers to comment on the magazine and new ideas of what to include. (11 marks)

2.   Yes, I do mainly agree that music magazines are generally aimed at male readers howver using my own knowledge I know that some music magazines do mainly appeal to females. For example, Top of the Pops aimed at 14% males, highlighting that not all music are aimed at males. I know this becasue typically Top of the Pops uses a colour scheme generally used to attract a female audiences; the colours usually involve pinks, purples, blues, yellows etc which stereotypically appeal more so towards females. Also, Top of the Pops usually feature artists attracted more so towards females such as One Direction, Justin Bieber, Little Mix, The Wanted etc; most of the artists featured would be considered as attractive and are therefore used to appeal to females, usually close up images are used and the artists are made to look happy.  This is significant because females usually pay more attention when it comes to how you look and and your facial emotions once again highlighting that not all music magazines are aimed at male readers. The language used is also of significance as informal, non - harsh language to make the magazine sound appropriate for its younger, female audience. However, there are several magazines that are aimed at male readers as 16 out of 20 writers are male. For example 'Kerrang' magazine is aimed at 57% male audience. This is evident as Kerrang usually features artists more aimed at a male audience, bands like You Me At Six, All Time Low etc are featured  which appeals more so towards males that are interested in rock music. The artists are usually made to look aggressive and sometimes grumpy to emphasize that male readers are not really interested in how the artist looks and more about the actual article itself; unike Top of the Pops. The language used is aggressive and sometimes uses language that would be seen as inappropriate for a female, younger audience. Another example of a mainly male orientated magazine to Q, which is aimed at 75% male. This is evident as the colours used are a lot less bright and cheerful (unlike Top of the Pops) and uses mainly contrasting colours such as deep reds and dark greys which connotate danger and wouldn't appeal to a female audience. Like Kerrang, mainly male artists are featured and when do, are made to look grumpy and sometimes aggressive. However, unlike in Top of the Pops, when female artists are used they're are used as a sex appeal for men and are usually photographed from the chest upwards to emphasis their female body parts to attract men. (14 marks)

3.   So, I hear you're looking for a brand new music magazine? Well, you're in luck, as I have just what you're looking for and I am sure with our combined efforts we can beat Top of the Pops 25,000 copies sold weekly.

An engaging title
Well, I have decided to call my magazine 'imusic' which, I am sure you're aware, is instantaneously relatable to 'tunes'. I have decided to use this name because I feel that my target audience (of 10-16) will be attracted to this as 'itunes' is an extremely popular downloading service. I will place my font in a purple colour to once again appeal to tagret audience.

House Style
Each week my magazine's layout will stay relatively the same to make my magazine instantaneously recognisable to my regular buyers. I will include different competitions and prizes for my audience to win as I feel this will enable my audience to get 'more than they bargained for', and I know from Top of the Pop's forums that this is a very successful way of targeting a wider range of audiences. Using the study of semiotics, I will use a constant colour scheme to once again attract my target audience. Seeing as my target audience is girls, I will use colours stereotypcially associated with the gender, such as pinks, purples, yellows, greens etc.

Regular Features
Each week my magazine will include a different artist who would have been interviewed with questions asked by our readers using our twitter and facebook pages. There will also be a chance for audiences to download a free single from the artist featured using a link directly to 'itunes'. I think that this is my magazines main unique selling point and will be what guarentes us success in the profit. Not only will my magazine include exclusive interviews artists nut fashion tips from artists will be included and true life storys to increase my magazines variety and therefore attract a wider target audience. What more can you ask for?

What will make it appeal to your target audience?
Using the uses and gratification theory, I will ensure that my magazine will appeal to my target audience because it will be enjoyable to read as I will feature several different features inside my magazine each week that will appeal to them, for example in my first issue, I have included One Direction, Fashion Tips from Little Mix, a true life story about a girl's battle with bullying which is a very serious and current issue with my target audience. Furthermore,