Music Magazine Evaluation - CLASH

Target audience

CLASH is a specific genre music magazine and is not very well known so people that enjoy the genre are most likely their target audience. the image depiction of James Blake connotes a mid class audience based on the type of clothing worn (shirt)  and applying marxist James Blake could be depicted as common media as he is white and depicted to be straight. The colouring of yellow connotes fun and happy and in turn connotes youth, however it shows youth in a nice light as their is no depressing colouring this disrupts Halls storm and stress model.

Masthead

The masthead is a stereotypical masthead large visible font with the main image integrated in to draw it all together. The masthead is exactly how a masthead should be it takes up about a third of the page and draws the eye to it. This applies to the audience because it is simple and not too flashy which connotes and more adult grown up feel which should apply to the target audience of middle class. The typography of the CLASH supports the genre as it is clean cut and modern, like electric music.

Layout

The magazine features one large image in the centre (which is a close up) with text featured around the side and then their main article centred in clear view. The barcode however is not in stereotypical suit as it is closer to the masthead then commonly done however still in clear view. The layout is relevant to audience as it simple and not overdone and should sell its self with the a star vehicle of names like Adele and James Blake.  The layout is clean cut and not over full yet still has allot of information suggesting that the magazine is good value for money. The clean-ness connoted yet again disrupts Halls theory as it is clean not messy. 

Colour

The images main colour scheme are black and red for the teasers and side information but then yellow and white for the title and the head lining story. This colour choice is very vibrant and happy and connotes a light hatred view. This should appeal as most of the colours are liked colours and the red and black works well with the colours of the main image shirt and ties the magazine all in together. this suits the audience as it is a teen friendly. yet again disrupting Hall

Imagery

One close up image of artist James Blake is used and centred looking serious in turn this connotes with colour that he may be fun and enjoy life but music is passion and he is serious about it. Like afore mentioned the image of James blake does support Marxists theory as he is the stereotypical media producer.

Typography/text

The typography is very neutral no real audience theme can be depicted all the text seems to be of a similar type of font. This works well with the magazine the different colours are what give the magazine variation and ultimately this is what also links the magazine all together. They have puffs and teasers used such as Exclusive and talking about knowing Adele’s secrets. Uses and gratification can be applied to this (Blumer and Katz 1974) "Self escapism" is common and would apply to CLASH well.

This entire magazine is a great example for common conventions it has everything and follows suit of most magazines on the market it works well and integrating everything in and should appeal to the audience.