Magazine full textual analysis

The magazine is named NME, aimed at fans of new and upcoming Alternative music. The front cover has many bold and interesting points to it. The masthead is an acronym of 'New Musical Express' already giving readers an insight of what the magazine promotes and what it stands for. The masthead in this issue is white suiting the color scheme of the magazine's front cover. The masthead is bold and the letters are tight together, making it easily seen by readers, especially with it being at the top left of the page.

There is a strip at the top which introduces Reading and Leeds festival lineup suggests that readers might be interested in the bands playing that bill. As well as this the strip introduces the bands as though they are 'stars' in a film or some sort of production, which could connote musics drive to entertain as well as give people something to listen to or make the music and bands seem more glamorous. The names of the band switch in color between red, and white to make it more interesting to read. Just underneath is a pug which gives readers the chance to win tickets to the festival, which could suggest that the top strip or bar is used to draw readers in and make them interested and then make them want to enter the magazines competition. This could be seen as a good advertising technique not just for the festival but the magazine itself.

The main image takes over the full page and is directly focused on Robert Smith, the lead singer of the Cure. Although Robert looks into the readers eye, he doesn't appear serious, in fact he appears as though he is putting on a silly face. This could connote that the band or his music is playful or that they aren't trying to be too serious. The main cover story in the left third is named a 'world exclusive interview' and would straight away appeal to any Cure or Robert Smith fans interested in hearing what he has to say. It also denotes how fans will only find certain information in this magazine. This once again is a great advertising and branding technique for NME as it could sell much more copies with something that is exclusive to such a broad audience.

The magazine has four secondary cover stories on the right hand side, and one of the left hand side all supporting the main article and all with different bands artists making an appeal or showing off their character. The story to the left 'Noel meets Balotelli' is linked with both music and football, and with that is linked with the city of Manchester. This story has a pull quote 'He's my F****** hero' the swearing connotes how shocking the interview or story might be and could connote the character of Noel Gallagher, as well as making people want to read it for it's edge and playfulness. This could link with the main story which includes 'A generation ready to stick to fingers up' which once again shows off attitude and could connote rock music culture, especially Punk culture which has always aimed to be shocking and have lots off attitude.

The barcode and price are situated at the bottom right of the front cover, quite typical of many magazines.