Music Magazine Research: Target Audiences

NME Magazine   

NME Magazine is aimed at those who enjoy popular alternative artists as this is the main focus represented by the main model on the cover, which in this case is Muse, alternative artists enjoyed by many, the coverlines also suggest this because they aim towards and feature alternative artists. The gender of this music magazine isn't identified clearly as the colours are unisex therefore don't sway the magazine towards a single gender. The font used for NME Magazine is a sans serif font therefore the audience of this magazine is less sophisticated which is then contrasted by the sophisticated and muted colours throughout the magazine which suggest the magazine is towards an audience that isn't aimed at those who are very young, yet around 18+. 

Vibe Magazine

Vibe Magazine is aimed at those who enjoy rap and r'n'b music, this is very clearly identified with the main model as he is a very stereotypical view of those associated with this genre of music because of his race, and with it being Kanye West which is well known for his rap and r'n'b work the genre is immediately recognised. The coverlines also support this because of the mentioned artists and articles, for example the article about Kayne West 'I AM RAP' which clearly identifies that the audience must have an interest in this genre of music. The colours of the magazine do not specifically aim at one gender because it includes both stereotypical colours for each gender which are pink and blue therefore suggesting that the target audience is not defined by gender, the bright colours suggest that the magazine is aimed towards younger adults because it is very youthful looking.

BBC Music Magazine

BBC Music Magazine is aimed at those who enjoy classical music which is clearly identified, similarly to Vibe Magazine due to its main model which represents a very stereotypical view as it features someone from the Asian race with a violin which is something which is very often associated together therefore the cover clearly suggests the target audiences interest in music genre. Similarly to the other music magazines the use of colour in this magazine doesn't specifically define a gender that the magazine is aimed at therefore suggesting the magazine is unisex. The serif font used in the masthead of the magazine shows the sophistication of the magazine and suggests that the magazine is aimed at an older audience which links to the genre as older generations are seen to enjoy classical music more than the younger generations.

Billboard Magazine

Billboard Magazine is aimed at those who enjoy pop music which is featured in the charts, this is clearly recognised by the name of the magazine as 'Billboard' record the chart music and is well known for doing so. The main model in the magazine also suggests this as Justin Bieber is an incredibly popular artist and is world renown therefore the magazine clearly is aimed at those who enjoy pop music. The coverlines also show the pop music theme as they feature upcoming popular artists. The colours of these magazines do not identify a specific gender as the blue background could suggest it being aimed more towards boys, however this is completely contrasted by the main model which is associated with teenage girls therefore balancing out the gender of the audience. The age of the magazine audience is probably of a more young one because of the bright colours and pop music which they enjoy.

Q Magazine

Q Magazine isn't aimed towards a specific genre of music as the main models often change to whatever is popular during the time whether it be alternative music or pop music, the main model is always someone well known too and the coverlines are very broad in terms of the genres mentioned. The colours within this magazine cover do not aim towards one gender as the colours are unisex and the articles and models are enjoyed by both genders. I think the magazine target audiences age is of a more middle aged adult because the layout of the coverlines and other parts of the cover look very sophisticated and simplistic therefore suggesting that the magazine isn't aimed at those of a very young age.

Conclusion of Research

From conducting the analysis of the magazines a lot of similarities in music magazines as a whole, even though they change within genre they are all very similar. One thing that is similar between them all is the use of colour in all the magazines, in each magazine the colours do not aim towards a specific gender and in each of these magazines a gender is not defined specifically for each magazine. In addition, serif font appears to be the most used font throughout the magazines as the adults (40 and below) and younger audience are the ones who are heavily interested in music which is usually targeted in magazines like pop, alternative and rap/r'n'b music. The main models play a very important role in the magazines as they are very representative of the genre of music the magazine is based towards and they are always renown widely.