Kerrang! Feature Deconstruction

This music magazine feature focuses on Biffy Clyro, a mediocre Scottish rock band. The entire interview is focused around the bands on-going tour of Iceland and this mainly highlighted by the picture, of Simon Neil, the lead singer, bathing in Iceland’s volcanic Blue Lagoon.

There are two pulled quotes, one reading ‘they eat rotten shark- Biffy Clyro’s guide to Iceland’ which relates to the theme of the feature, and will draw readers in because of its unusual statement. The feature has one main image which takes up more than half the page. The lead singer’s tattoos and ‘wild’ style are highlighted. He is staring directly at the camera which acts as a way of drawing the reader in- it is as if he is looking directly at you. The feature seems to be written on the assumption that the reader knows the band and their songs well as the main quote reads ‘It’s scary that anyone who’s listened to puzzle knows what I was going through.’

Each paragraph has a drop cap of the first two words and this engages the reader further with the actual content of the interview, again a way of ensuring they read the whole article. The feature is definitely coherent with the front cover of the magazine as a very similar image is seen on the front, except of the whole band, not just the lead singer.

Contents Page Deconstruction



• Main image is profile shot of typical 'rocker,' to appeal to target audience
• Smaller pictures show all other bands in the mag, another selling point
• Contents headers in large bright font on dark background for emphasis
• Contents are numbered and seperated into sections
• Lifted quote provides incentive for reader to read the main features
• Editor's letter gives informal, personal feel to the page
• Light background makes dark text more readable

Audience Survey Results

I interviewed 30 people.

Questions                                          Results         

What gender are you?                          65% were boys  35% were girls

How old are you?                                90% were 16-17  10% were 18-19

Do you read music magazines?             70% Yes   30% No        

If yes, which one?                                 Kerrang- 25%  NME- 40%   Vibe- 10%  Mojo- 5%   Other- 20%

How much would you pay for a           

music magazine?                                   0.50p- 75%   £1- 20%   £1.50- 5%   £2- 0%   More- 0%

Which magazine name do you

prefer?                                                  Amplitude- 5%   mosh- 65%   Breakdown- 20%   Beatdown- 10%

    

What colour scheme would you

prefer?                                                  Primary colours- 80%   Black and White- 15%  Blue/Yellow- 5%

What would most attract you to a

music mag?                                           Colours- 15%  Name- 20%  Featured Musician- 45%  Price- 20%

Audience Survey

What gender are you?              M                  F

How old are you?

Do you read music magazines?                   Y                      N

If yes, which one?           Kerrang!         NME          Vibe            Mojo         Other (please state)

How much would you pay for a music magazine?    0.50p      £1.00     £1.50     £2.00     More   

Which magazine name do you prefer?     Amplitude      mosh.         Beatdown      Breakdown

What colour scheme would you prefer?      Primary colours       Black and White         Blue and Yellow

What would most attract you to a music mag?      Colours      Name     Featured Musician        Price