Analysis of a music magazine front cover.

This magazine has a busy front cover.

The Mast-Head is eye-catching because the letter is white on a red background, red is a masculine colour. However, the use of red, white and black allows the magazine to become neutral so therefore both men and women can read it, as it doesn't have a specific gender audience.  

There are two plugs to catch the audiences attention by telling them what they are to expect when they buy the magazine. The magazine tells the reader that there are specials which will interest them because they will be able to find out more information about upcoming events.  

The Main Image is of a famous artist, Madonna. She is dressed in black which allows her name to be printed in a bold red font so it stands out, the names of the artists are in a list and the font is in white, which contrasts to the black. The list is a Main Cover Line and gives information about the main article.

There are Main Cover Lines such as; 'Rolling Stones At The Movies', which tells the reader about other articles in the magazine, and shows that the magazine has a variety of articles inclued. 'Rolling Stones' is in a red font, which seems to be the main convention of the magazine, and keeps to the colour scheme.

The magazine has a bar code but it is small, this is a production technique so that no attention is drawn to it before the reader has had a look at the cover and decided whether they want it or not. The price is also small so that the readers aren't put off if the magazine costs more than they expected it to.

'Free Inside 70 Page Special' tells the reader what they will be reading about inside the magazine. It is a Unique Selling Point to the magazine and is a guide to the inside.