The feature article photograph for the magazine NME, involves the band ‘Franz Ferdinand’ this shows that they are the main topic for that edition of the magazine. All four members of the band are wearing sunglasses this suggests that they consider themselves as celebrities and gives an air of importance. It could also portray that they do not want to show their eyes as they are tired or hung over which ties in with the stereotypical ‘Rock Star’ lifestyle. This is exaggerated by the light shining through the group, the connotation of the image suggests paparazzi taking photos of them and this could be another reason as to why they are wearing sunglasses. This idea is supported by the cover line on the flush right that Franz Ferdinand is “BACK WITH A BANG”, which shows that this is their come back and paparazzi will want to capture them.
Following on from the light behind them, the puffs used to promote the magazine “EXCLUSIVE TRACKS AND RARITIES” also have lights around them acting like boarder around the arrow. The lights used are ones that would be round a dressing room mirror; this again links with the celebrity theme. The member on the far left’s sunglasses further underlines the use of lighting to establish their comeback, as it reflects lights that are used on a photo shoot. This could evoke that everyone wants to take photos of them and the arrows pointing at the free CD emphasizes that this is their come back and they want people to listen to their music. The arrows have also been used to use up negative space the magazine would have had and is therefore successful.
The picture is taken at a low angle, so it looks like the band is looking down on the reader and again makes them look paramount; this illustrates that they are dominant individuals. All four members of the band are pulling straight faces this mise-en-scene indicates that they are serious about their craft and are not messing around. The member on the far rights hand action resembles a gun, this shows that they mean business, this idea is backed up by the plug “TAKE AIM” and cover line “BACK WITH A BANG” which instantly makes you think of a gun. This gives the magazines front page a serious tone and the mode of address is informative.
The masthead blends in with the rest of the front cover and does not particularly stand out on the page; this could be due to the fact that NME is a big known brand, so therefore the masthead does not need to be the main topic of the magazine. It is a very simple masthead but yet recognizable in the shops due to its harsh red colour.
The magazine has used identical fonts on the front cover, this typography creates a formal appearance and it makes it look organised. However although the fonts are the same, some texts are bolder than others; this means that they stand out and appear loud, some are also in a different colours to exaggerate their importance and to catch the readers eye. All of the text is aligned to flush right on the page; this makes the feature article photograph the main vocal point of the cover. To promote the main article in the magazine they have used a sell; “MOST MUSIC MEANS NOTHING…” this is quite a controversial statement and makes the interview with the band sound interesting.
The target audience of the magazine is for people who are interested in the rock genre as NME is a well known rock magazine. The magazine could also attract audiences who enjoy Franz Ferdinand’s music, as they have not been in the public eye for some time and this will persuade fans to buy the magazine. The house style of the magazine is quite serious as they use plugs such as “BANG” and “TAKE AIM” both of these have explosive connotations and these energetic words could relate to the rock industry. However the use of the use of the bright arrows contradicts this serious look which is conveyed by the image, as the colours are quite fun and childish. This edition of the magazine may also appeal to the older generation as “Joy Division” is an old rock band, that only people from that generation will know or rock fans.
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