Analysing the magazine Kerrang, and particularly focusing upon why Kerrang as a magazine fulfils it's expectations, I deducted that there is a certain expectation for how different genres of music magazines should appear; there are specific criteria that are usually met according to the genre of the music magazine. I also realised that the language used within the magazine appeals to the target audience, and suits this audience as it comes across in a way which the audience can understand and relate to. To elaborate, when analysing an article within the magazine Kerrang, I discovered that they used language such as 'yeah' in order to come across in a certain way to their target audience. This language is easily understood to the majority of the audience reading, and this is effective as it is easily accessible. The target audience is more likely to buy the issue of this magazine again if the language is easy to read, as they are taking in information that they are interested in, in a way that they can easily understand. This helps me to think of the language that I need to use in my music magazine, according to the genre that I eventually chose.
Furthermore, the magazine seems to include advertisements for musicians; this indicates that the target audience reading this magazine are either musicians themselves, or are likely to know musicians who may need a job. This teaches us more about the type of audience that are reading this magazine; as in the genre of rock, Kerrang is likely to be read by musicians as many have an interest in not only listening to rock music, but making rock music too. Those who enjoy rock music also may know of local bands that they listen to or watch in their local venue, and therefore are likely to know of musicians or be connected to them in some way. An example of this is Harlow's square, whereby bands come together and perform to a local audience, and although these musicians may start off as low key, the audience that they play to may open up their options as they hear about opportunities such as this offered in Kerrang magazine.
Linking to this, I also found within the magazine that there was a 'Gigs Guide', which indicates that those who read the magazine attend Gigs often, or are interested in attending Gigs at some point. Advertised also are merchandise of the bands that the audience are likely to be interested in, and this is something that may be found in other genres of music magazines, as those interested in music of most sorts may want to wear merchandise or own something related to the band/type of music that they enjoy listening to. An example of this seen in a Pop magazine is in Top of the Pop's, whereby advertised are 'The Wanted' dolls, that resemble the members of the band and the audience can buy these.
The photographs included are of members of rock bands performing, or of people who are likely to be interested in the type of music stereotypically. This indicates how according to the genre of a music magazine, the people featured upon it need to relate to this type of music in some way; there needs to be a connection between the people featured upon the magazine and the genre of music that the magazine is reflecting. This can be seen upon the Pop magazine Top of the Pops; Selena Gomez is the main image seen straight away upon the front cover of the magazine; as a pop star she is suitably featured upon it in order to attract the target audience.
Within music magazines also, there are current issues discussed in order to attract the specific target audience. Within this magazine, there is a section entitled 'Economics', and this is effective as the target audience that are attracted are young adults, and this makes the music magazine more appealing as it includes other subjects other than music in order for the target audience to keep engaged within the magazine, and for the focus of it to not only be music, but expand out to other subjects of interest to the target audience. An example of this is also seen in the magazine 'Top of the Pops', whereby other subjects are included, such as fashion and celebrity gossip, in order to attract the target audience of young girls in particular.
Interactivity is a key part of a music magazine, as it is for every type of magazine. Kerrang successfully interacts with it's target audience by including competitions that are appealing to it's target audience, offering them the chance to win something that they are interested in. In one section of the magazine, it offers the reader a chance to win a '£50 CD voucher'. This is enticing for the target audience as the prize is something that they are likely to enjoy once they have received it. This indicates how music magazines and most other magazines include competitions that offer prizes that are appealing to their target audience, in order for them to be inclined to enter them. Another example of this is within the Pop magazine 'Top of the Pop's', whereby the target audience are offered the chance to win iPods that have been signed by 'One Direction', who are a popular and well known pop band. This is appealing for the target audience of 'Top of the Pop's', as the audience are more likely to enter the competition with the chance to win something related to a band they are likely to be a fan of or enjoy listening to, in the genre that they enjoy evidently as they have bought a Pop magazine.
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