Magazine Research-Rock Sound cover

    Rock sound magazine appears to be a much less commercial British magazine covering more 'underground' artists yet with the mention of famous rock artists as well. This magazine champions rock music and ensures that the majority of the magazine is focused on 'breaking music before anyone else.'

     Launched back in 2000, the magazine is sold monthly with a circulation of 200011. Its target is audience is 15-25 year olds, majority male yet appeals to some women as well. The audience is said to attend gigs regularly and 54% of them and musicians themselves. The magazine seems to address its audience through a number of different techniques.
    This magazine cover is completely different to the other three magazine covers i have previously research. This cover appears to be much more busy with much more going on. The use of primary colours such as red yellow and blue as the main colour scheme helps suggests an element of simplicity despite there being a wide range of different things all over the cover. The title of the magazine itself appears obstructed by the band suggesting importance of music as the band appear to have a high status that the title of the magazine. This shows how much the magazine credit the musicians and music itself.
     The image on the cover of the magazine appears posed with the use of eye contact from the artists. This allows the magazine to address the audience directly. Similarly to Kerrang! magazine, Rock Sound appears to create a sense of symmetry with the idea of similar hand gestures next to each other. This gives the magazine a sense of structure and formality which again could be a way to enjoy the magazine in a much more civilised way. The image also appears to be be involved with the structure of the magazines format. This is show with the way the 'All Time Lows,' band name has been placed over the lead singers hand. All of the images appear to be outlined in a shadowing colour such as black and white to enable focus of the images and avoid them getting lost within the main image.
      The use of advertising freebies of posters and CD's helps attract audiences as they are able to get more for their money, something most people would find appealing.
      The use of text on the cover of the magazine and the techniques used help convey messages and draw in reader. The use of declarative quotes from the interviews and other use of declaratives give an impression of sureness and accuracy which helps eliminate any chance of doubt readers have of the press. Also they use of listing band names with just a snippet of what the story is about help advertise the magazine content without giving too much away.
      Out of the four magazines i have researched, i feel that this cover is the least appropriate for my magazine as it is extremely disorganised and there is no clear link to the  music industry other than the name.