Intial Reasearch into Forms and Conventions

I have been analysing magazines of different genres so as to see what conventions real magazines use, aswell as to see how a magazine appeals to its audience. By looking at the genres covered, I can find a niche in the market unexplored.

Kerrang Magazine

This magazine is aimed at the middle class, teen audience. It covers rock/metal music, mostly the more maintstream bands among the genres.

Kerrang usually features interviews as their main draw, as these are usually mentioned on the cover. Bands either currently touring, or promoting a new album is usually the band featured. The magazine also shows tour dates, aswell as release dates for upcoming CDs. Also, new albums and live gigs are reviewed.

A competition is also usually found within, as are "free" posters or gifts to draw the audience in to purchase the magazine.

The brand identity is of a cool, edgy one, that rejects the mainstream to a certain point.

NME Magazine

NME is aimed at a slighty older market than Kerrang, with the target audience being older teens or people in their early 20's. The magazine covers mainstream rock and pop, with most of it being success bands and artists. However, some parts also cover slighty more alternative music.

The magazine covers the usual features, such as interviews, reviews, latest news, information about tours and gigs.

The brand identity is of a cool, but conformative one. It covers the "coolest" of mainstream music. The brand image is of a sophisticated but trendy image.

MixMag

MixMag is aimed at older teens, from 16-25, as it covers the genre of dance and DJing.

The magazine covers mainly things related to DJing, with details and features about current bands or artists. It also covers the club scene, which include worst clubbing tatoos, club related scares, and how a DJ reads the crowd. It also covers recent gigs and live shows, with details and reviews accompaning this. The dance charts are also mentioned, with the big releases in this genre being reviewed.

The brand identity is of a cool, fun persona. It comes across as a "loud" magazine, seemingly hyperactive, with its varied colours used on the cover alone.

I will now begin looking at magazines in my chosen genre. My genre will generally be Rock/Metal, with a lean on sub-genres such as Ska and nu-metal.