Music magazine conventions

There are many conventions to the more popular music magazines such as Q, Billboard and Rolling Stones.

Music magazines are usually released monthly.

Typically, a bold clear magazine title is established at the top either central or to the left of the page. When a large story or feature is of great importance, this headline may be prioritised as a skyline or large fonted headline near or over the masthead.

An artist’s name usual takes up enough space to catch the reader’s attention to highlight the importance of this feature in the magazine. This is usually in the centre of the page at the top, middle or on the left hand side. Sometimes more than one artist will feature, for instance, in a special edition of the magazine or popular front cover. However, it is always made clear who the biggest artist is or who the audience should create the most hype about. This is typically through the change of font size or colour.

The background typically suits the style or clothing that the artist is wearing. Specialist lighting will ensure that the artist is still visible and highlighted along with any props or instruments in the image. Often these props or items of interest will have a strong connection to the artist and/or genre of music that the magazine caters to.

Another common feature is the use of pops and exclusives on the cover in aid of magazine promotion. This allows the reader to be instantly attracted to the feature to which the promotion is in reference to.

The contents page does not tend to feature every pages content but highlights more features from the cover and directs the audience to the correct page. One may typically fine a simpler contents page with one or so images on or a slightly more complex page with up to 7 or so smaller images. You may also find the magazines title/ logo on this page.

A general overview of the content inside the magazine includes many interviews with huge and/or up-and-coming artists, reviews of live shows, award show nominees and merchandise reviews or purchase availability. Typically the advertisements found within this genre of magazine revolve around devices of musical relativity, concert sales with a couple of general adverts for aftershave ect.

Images are usually edited to highlight the artist and make the background fuzzy or faded. This makes the foreground image look more focused and higher quality.