Billboard Magazine Double Page Spread

For this task I took a double page spread from Billboard magazine which featured Breakthrough act of 2012 - The Lumineers an indie folk band who sold over 6 million albums that year. This issue with the band on thier sucess within that year. I have included a collage of what the article looked like on my iPad, I simply was able to screen shot the article and examine it in detail for this task; it includes a cover image of the band which takes up 100% of the page with their name in bold writing following the acutal double page spread.

The article features the band "The Lumineers", I can tell the genre off this band by the way they dress in the images. In a traditional quirky, casual bohemian look which consists of dark and simple colouring, I am able then to deduce that the band has an indie folk flair, indicating to me that the target audience are of similar preferences so that this style and genre of music will appeal to them in particular.  The spread includes the introduction of the band members, there rise to fame, their critically acclaimed albums and production of music ladi and spoken in a way which is clearly relaxed and chic, which again compliments there bohemian vibe. 

Beginning with a large drop cap "T" which takes up majority of the page, our eye flow allows the reader to be instantly directed to the beginning of the article. The interviewer has written this text in a story like manner, using sometimes actual quotes from the band but keeping it in such a way that seems almost like a nostalgic thought, again inkeeping with the band unique chilled vibe which their fans appreciate. The writer explains how they rose to fame "The 5th of Dec episode of the CW's "Hart of Dixie" was going to be the first place much of America would hear their single "Ho Hey."' This is quite formal language with no real colloquial terminology perhaps to portray an element of professionalism on behalf of the magazine; however there is nothing really that would not be accessible to read for all walks of life, therefore would not just appeal to fans of The Lumineers but for all to enjoy and read. This article can be seen as the inside scoop for readers to find out how this band came big, by sharing their story people will feel apart of it too - like they have been told it directly. This then gives a personal relationship between reader and feature.

Much white space is used in this article to portray that the most important elements within the article is within the text. However they do use a slight collage on the right side of the second page to illustrate not only an aural understanding of what the band are about but also show what they look like and gain a visual understanding. The typeface is New Times Roman which is black and stands well out against the pure white background, this is a very plain and simplistic as the magazine does not need vibrant colouring to distract the reader from what they see as important information. The article is extremely to read and navigate as there is only one column on each page with everything spilt up into different paragraphs. However I would like to start off each of my paragraphs within my music magazine maybe using a smaller drop cap than the first in perhaps different colours to emphasise each one more prominently.

On the right hand side of the first page there is a little column titled "Team Lumineers" - this is little boxes aside form the proper article which tell the reader information on their album, label, management, booking, publicity, attorney, sites and twitter account; which is done for people to be lured in to find out more about the bands music and to gain a bigger following especially on social media, cleverly done as this a multi-national magazine within America, meaning majority of American viewers would come across it everyday.  

Throughout this double page spread there is a consistent house-style which consists of the colouring of basic black and white, this is the intention to lure in more indie, alternative folk readers that are suggestive of this genre. The images used also support the dark plain house-style again in keeping with the chilled relaxed vibe of the band. Billboard magazines revamp in style is contemporary and stylish by only including the minimal number of images and a lot of text to thereby keeping readers directed on the information and not just flick through to look at the images. 

Overall this double page spread is extremely simplistic with little colouring, easy navigation and little images.  

Q Contents Page Analysis

This is Q Magazines front cover with its corresponding contents page. Q Magazine is a British based music magazine which began in 1986 and is published on a monthly basis. As displayed the feature is of Lana Del Rey - a popular american singer/songwriter who is the main focus of both the cover and the contents page. Although the colour scheme from the contents page does not match the cover directly, it still has elements which highlight the running theme of this issue ie; the images and the dominent colour of red. 

The largest image of the contents page is a extreme close up section of the artists face, from a male gaze this image can be quite seductive as it will give an intensity to the reader as she looks directly into the camera, hence this allows a relationship or feeling of inclusion to build between the feature and the magazine. She also seems to be bleeding from her right upper temple which parallel well with the cover title of "So what's so bloody good?" this running theme therefore reminds the reader of the main cover title as we can associate it with the largest image. This image also has a number written in white clear typeface inside a deep red square -  this is the most prominent page number within the contents page as it is the main feature and will be what majority of their audience for this issue will be buying the magazine for - to find out the latest about Lana Del Ray. 

The title of the contents page is in front of a plain white crisp background, done so that any darker shades put in front of it will stand out, in large font it titles "Q Contents." The letter Q is directly sued as the magazines logo which is a red box with a white Q - this is a well established music magazine claiming to be 'UK's biggest music magazine' therefore this iconic symbol will be a denotation code for their loyal readers. The colour scheme is also an important factor, it consists of reds, whites, blacks and any other colouring is from the photographed images, these simple primary colours stick to the main roots of the magazine who have always upheld this image. It is very minimalistic which achieves a house style of class and structure. 

The layout of the magazine is extremely orderly and has an essence of professionalism, this is a well established magazine and we as there readers would expect nothing less. The features are clearly stated within the magazine, however some titles are more emphasised than others as the publishers have manipulated the typeface to be bolder or larger so what they believe to be important issues are instantly directed upon their readers ie; '140 Songs To Download Now!'. In simple easy read san serif typeface all text is written in separate sections or anchoring an image relating to the issue. Majority of the text colours are black however under the image if the men dressed as bears with umbrellas there is a blurb in red, this is used to attract the attention of the reader. 

The mode of this issue is to be contemporary whilst staying sophisticated, this issue would target mainly Lana Del Rey's fan-base who are male and female from the ages of 14 - 30, however all lovers of music can be enticed into this magazine by contents such as interviews with rock bands (Kings Of Leon) or R&B hip hop artists (Jay Z and Kayne). Throughout the contents page there is no real distinguish in gender, there is a large close up of the female artist, however the other three images are all of males - this magazine is predominately based on the male demographic so this is a reason for using masculine colours such as black and red to entice these readers in enhanced by the use of majority male repensentation in the images. 

The contents images are of new upcoming artists and bands, this is to support the idea that Q magazine is aimed at a youthful, vibrant yet sophisticated audience - perhaps ranging from late teens to early thirties, who love music and are interested in the latest news in the music industry today. This also backs the mode of address for the magazine, the language used within the contents page is very informal, colloquial and straight forward to read. They speak to their audience in a way which is not patronising however still friendly but in a welcoming manner, this adds an element of fun, the reader can then believe this will be a exciting, positive magazine to read ie; "Plus: Two men dressed as bears!".

The other two images on the contents page are of British songwriter/rapper Professor Green and American rock band Kings of Leon. The mid shot image of the band is very dark and mysterious, this would be attractive for the readers who enjoy this type of music as the band members are all looking directly at the camera, this will create a sense for the reader as they are been directly looked upon, therefore feeling obliged to read the article, however the mid shot full length image of the laughing Pro Green contrasts as it seems much more relaxed. This laid back look welcomes a reader and entices them to 'sit back, and relax.' Each section within the magazine has a separate feature with a red title to make it eye catching and stand out contrasting with the black blurbed text and white foreground; all blurbs under the main headings are very simplistic, by not including a mass of information readers will want to flick through and find the article to finish it. It will also be easy to navigate as there are large boxes with the page number in a bold white typeface.