Kerrang Front Cover Analysis

In previous media lessons we have been asked to analyse magazine front covers of any genre. However our course wants us to make a music magazine therefore this week we have been asked to analyse the front covers of music magazines to introduce us to the layout of music magazines. We were asked to find two magazine front covers of two different music genres in order to analyse them properly and get us used to the type of layout on these magazines and to give us ideas for our own music magazines. The first magazine I decided to analyse was KERRANG! This is a rock misoc magazine that has a lot that can be said about it. It has a simple layout that I may look more closely at when making my magazine as I may like to make one similar. The second one that I analysed was Classical Music. This magazine is of a completely different music genre so shows a lot of variety in layout and content which will help develop my understanding of music magazines and it will also help me make some decisions about how I want my final product to look. The Classical Music magazine has a lot less to say about it as it has a simplier layout with less content on the front cover. This is probably not going to be how I set out my magazine as the more content I may have on the front cover, the more advertising it will do so that if it were really to be published, it will attract a wide range of audience and be more appealing so that people will want to read it.
KERRANG!:

Masthead– KERRANG!-  The font of the masthead and the lines cut out in the text help this magazine conform to its genre. From the masthead, I can tell that this music magazine is based on the rock genre of music. The white text sticks with the colour scheme as the most important parts of the text are in white with the lesser important coverlines in yellow and green. The fact that the cover image is slightly superimposed on the masthead shows that the masthead doesn't necessarily have to be seen fully to know what music magazine it is as the magazine is such a well branded magazine on its own you can immediately recognise it by the text font and colours, layout and maybe a few of the letters in the masthead.  The exclamation mark in the masthead implies it could be shouted which is a common thing associated with rock music as it is loud and sometimes shouted.
Tagline-  There is no tagline for this magazine. Like the superimposition on the masthead , this could suggest that the magazine is very well-branded therefore does not need a tagline to appeal to its audience.
Central Image + Cover Model– The central image on this front cover is an image of the lead singer of the band– Green Day. This represents that the main article will most likely be about Green Day. The low angle shot of him implies that we should worship him– like a Godly figure. This is also implied by the light that is behind him. This image is anchored by text that says “”THIS IS THE BEST SHOW OUT THERE!” GREEN DAY EXCLUSIVE U.S. TOUR REPORT”; this will attract readers as the buzz word “exclusive” implies this gossip can only come from this magazine and fans will want to get this gossip about their favourite artists. The black that the cover model is wearing  fits in with the background which is a grey colour; this makes the text stand out more as none of it is black or grey.
Coverlines– On this front cover there are 5 coverlines. All of them are sticking to the genre of rock . They all use colloquial language which implies that  the target audience is a younger generation– teenagers– of rock music fans.
Direct Mode of Address– There is not very much direct modes  of address on this magazine. This could suggest that the editors don’t want to direct it at one person but a group of people, showing that the magazine is for all rock music fans, implying a sense of inclusion  for everyone.
Puff– There is a puff that  says “WIN” talking about a competition that will be in the magazine for readers to win. This is attractive to readers as it will encourage them to get involved in the magazine and buy it in order to win the competition.  There is also one that says “PLUS!” Which is also advertising the contents of the magazine. 
Pug– There is one pug on this front cover. It is just a collection of photos but ones that will perhaps advertise some of the articles or posters or photos that will be included inside the magazine.

Barcode, Edition, Price, Date– All are located out-of-the-way in the corners to prevent the focus being taken off the cover model.

Buzz words– To appeal to a younger audience the editors have used the phrase “WTF?!” This is written in bold and is a common phrase amongst their target audience.