Music Magazines - Ancillary Task 2

In our last lesson, we were told that we had to create a music magazine advertisement to promote our chosen artists album. So, like the Digipack, I first began research into the different music magazines and also the advertisements which can be found in them. There were three magazines in particular which stood out for me.

- Q

Q is a music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom by Bauer Media group, with a circulation of 130,179 as of June 2007. Q was first published in October 1986, setting itself apart from much of the other music press with monthly production and higher standards of photography and printing.

The magazine has an extensive review section, featuring new releases, reissues, music compiliations, film and live concert reviews, as well as radio and television reviews. Much of the magazine is devoted to interviews with popular musical artsists.The magazine is well known for compiling lists. It has created many, ranging from "The 100 Greatest albums" to the "100 Greatest '100 Greatest' Lists". Every other month, Q and its sister magazine, Mojo (also owned by Bauer) have a special edition. These have been about musical times, genres, or a very important/influential musician.

- Uncut

Uncut is a montly publication based in London. It focuses on music, but also includes film and books sections. A DVD magazine under the Uncut brand was published quarterly from 2005 to 2006.Uncut was launched in May 1997 as "a monthly magazine aimed at 25- to 45-year-old men that focuses on music and movies", edited by Allan Jones.

Uncut's contents include lengthy features on old albums, interviews with film directors, music and film news, and reviews of all major new album, film and DVD releases. Its music features tend to focus on genres such as Americana[3], rock and alternative country.

Each month the magazine includes a free CD, which may include both new and older music. Special Issues have covered Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, The Byrds, David Bowie, Demon Records, Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Queen, Martin Scorsese, Motown Records, Morrissey, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin and more.

- Artrocker

Artrocker magazine is an independent monthly publication, concentrating on music and modern culture, that is available across the United Kingdom. Though stocked in larger branches of newsagents, its main availability is in music stores. The magazine started life as a weekly email newsletter before evolving into a printed magazine.

The magazine provides an outlook on modern culture, with information on the UK music scene and the main emphasis firmly being placed on London. There are also sections dedicated to covering art and fashion, and classic bands from the past. Due to the demise of Melody Maker and Sounds, the magazine is one of the very few rivals to the NME.