Music Magazines Research
What is a Music Magazine?
A music magazine is a type of magazine that is entirely devoted to music and the music culture. They normally contain latest music news, interviews, photo shoots, reviews on songs or concerts and they sometimes provide a cover mount equipped with recorded music.
What are the different styles of Music they cover?
In general, music magazines cover a many different styles of music; there are many styles of music to suite an individual’s own style of music. Since different people are interested in different styles of music, there are numerous styles of music that are explored through music magazines. Some of these styles of music expressed in the magazines include: Reggae, R’n’B, Country music, Dubstep, Hip Hop, Gospel, Rock and many more.
Who produces them?
Big media production companies own the majority of music magazines. Companies such as “Bauer Consumer Media”, they cover not only magazines, but TV and Radio. In an attempt to create more profit, they expand their range of media production to areas such as magazine production and distribution. They do this by either starting up their own magazine production company or they buy off an existing one.
Some popular music magazines:
v NME
The New Musical Express (also known as NME) has been a very popular music magazine over the years. It is UK based, owned by IPC Media and it has been publishing weekly issues since March of 1952. It firstly started off as a music newspaper but it then gradually moved into becoming a magazine during the 1980’s, then changing from newsprint in 1998. NME became the very first newspaper to include a singles chart in November 1952. Following its success, it became the best-selling British music newspaper in the 1970’s. It then launched its online version (www.nme.com) in 1996. Until today there are a recorded 5 million users per month. Its latest editor was named to be Krissi Murison; she became the first female editor of the magazine in 2009. Luke Lewis edits the online version. It is evident that NME has been one of the most popular magazines around, however looking at the latest circulation figures, it seems that it has been declining significantly. Even so, NME continues to say that they will proceed. Here is a link to an article of NME’s decline:
v Relevant Magazine
Relevant magazine is an American bimonthly magazine providing content on “God, life, and progressive culture”, and also the latest Christian music. It began publishing in March 2003 through RELEVANT Media Group. Its target audience is Christians who enjoy knowing what’s going on in the world. As of 2011 this magazine had a circulation of 56,667 and as more and more people are subscribing to the magazine these figures are steadily increasing. Its online companion, www.RELEVANTmagazine.com, was launched before the magazine in 2002 with the email newsletter, 850 Words of RELEVANT. Over the years Relevant has not only been able to provide a magazine, through the web there is also a radio station, Podcasts and a TV channel. These are all available on the online website.
Genres of Music:
Relevant is welcoming to all types of Christian music, from Pop to Rap and from Country to Rock. The magazine’s aim is to spread the sounds of the Gospel to the people that appreciate it.
Audience:
Relevant magazine has more of a mature vibe that it portrays. It is the kind of magazine that appeals to people who are still young but are of mature nature, the main audience is actually people aged about 16-30.
Website
Radio: There is a section on the website that allows users to launch the Radio Player. Also there is an opportunity to download the application onto a Mac Desktop free o f charge.
Podcasts: There are numerous podcasts of interviews and performances by bands and artists available.
TV: A page that provides content such as Music Videos, Artist Interviews, Performances and Extras.
The Drop: This is a special feature of the Relevant Magazine website; it is a page that shares a variety of Christian music.
Tablet:
A major step for Relevant was the launch of the their application available on iPads. This progression is enabling them to reach more audiences because if some people weren’t able to get a hard copy of the certain issues, it would be available on their iPad.
v Mojo
This music magazine was initially published by Emap, and then by Bauer as of early 2008. It is a UK monthly magazine that has a circulation of 94,617. Mojo was first published on October 15th 1993 featuring John Lennon and Bob Dylan on cover of the very first issue. There have been many recognized music critics that have written for Mojo such as the likes of Nick Kent, Charles Shaar Murray and Jon Savage. The previous editor of Mojo was Paul Du Noyer who was then succeeded by others including Phil Alexander, the current editor. The target audience for Mojo magazine would be people who love classic rock, so both genders over 30-35 years.
· A covermount CD is occasionally included in the magazine which corresponds with a relevant/current article or theme.
· 2004 saw the introduction of the Mojo Honours LIst. This is an awards ceremony that is a mixture of awards for critics and readers.
· Bauer roduced a digital radio stationthat was called Mojo Radio but then ceased its broadcasting in order to save money.
v Q
Q magazine is an alternative, monthly UK magazine that is run by Bauer Media Group. It has circulation of 80,418 and is currently edited by Andrew Harrison. The founders were Mark Ellen and David Hepworth. The first issue of Q was published in 1986. It stood out amongst other magazines because of its higher standards of photography and printing. Q magazine was previously named “Cue”, in reference a record being cued; ready to be played. However there were issues with it being mistaken for a Snooker magazine. For this reason it was changed to “Q”.
Q often gives out promotional CDs and Books. They also launched a Radio Station in 2008. It also has its own TV channel.
The target audience of Q magazine is people who are roughly in their 30s to 40s.
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