Comparison of magazine front covers - Spin and Kerrang
The magazines I have chosen are from two completely different genres. On the left is "Spin" magazine, it is an indie-pop/folk-pop whereas on the right is a rock magazine called "Kerrang!" This will allow me to see the contrary between the two so I can pick out the specific elements that are seen on "Spin" and use it in my music magazine.
On this front cover of "Spin", the masthead is white with a red rectangular background, this masthead is seen on every other issues of "Spin" so it is a recognisable title which the target audience can easily identify. Similarly on the January issue of 'Kerrang!'. The name of the masthead is visible in black with white lines and some form of broken effect, although an area of the masthead is covered up by the image, the major audience will still be able to recognise this magazine because it is very well known.
The front cover image of "Spin" is of the popular indie-folk band called "Mumford & Sons", the photo shows the band looking cheery and playful as they stand in causal positions looking as relaxed as possible, along with them all wearing the colour scheme of blue, white and black clothing. On the other hand, the cover image of the magazines are the famous metal-core band - 'Bring me the horizon", who are an extremely popular for these few years amongst young adults, yet they are staring into the camera emotionlessly and somewhat fiercely as if they are piercing through the magazine cover at the readers.
The names of both bands are the cover lines which are white and black and placed on top of a contrasting background, allowing the cover lines to stand out so everyone will know who they are even if they only caught a glimpse of the magazines. Effective tag-lines are also attached to their respective cover lines. On the front cover of "Spin", the tag-line is "How the brits are leading the charge". This is quite an attractive tag-line as British readers will automatically be interested as it somehow relates to them. In addition, "Kerrang!" also has a tag-line of "Northern uproar!" which describes how popular they are becoming that they are spreading everywhere.
"Spin" on the left has a more of a simple colour scheme of white, light blue and black with a hint of red, which the baby blue makes the cover look more relaxing and soothing for eyes, just like how the indie-folk music is calming and soothing for ears. However, "Kerrang!" has the strong colour scheme of white, red, black and the addition of yellow, which all come together as loud colours that are bright and bold and eye striking.
Both magazines have names other bands of the same genre shown on the front cover. On "Spin", "The Felice brothers", "The low anthem" and "The head and the heart" are mentioned, which are all indie-pop and indie-folk. Other than more band names, there is the puff and plug of "Free albums!" that will definitely attract a huge amount of the target readers. As for "Kerrang!", the other bands that can be seen are "You me at six", "Avenged sevenfold" and "Metallica", which are all rock bands belonging in the genre of heavy-metal. By referencing other bands, it will attract more target audience because if they're not a big fan of the featured band, there is still a chance of them buying the magazine to read as they might be interested in the other bands that are referenced on the front cover.
All these elements clearly suggests that the target audience for 'Kerrang!' are young adults likely to be between the ages of 16 and 25 with the occasional exception of the older generation adults at mid-age who love the genres of metal-core and death-core. As for the target audience for "Spin" are also young adults between the ages of 16 and 25, except they would have love for indie-folk and indie-pop music that they would find more relaxing and enjoyable than metal-core music.
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