The masterhead on this magazine has got a shattered effect to set the tone of the magazine and connoting what it is about; the fact it’s shattered suggests that a loud noise has broken it advertising it is a rock magazine, it is also written in capital letters and has a ! after it. This again shows that it’s a rock magazine because it suggests power, loudness or even anger. This font combined with the black writing on a (mainly) white background really makes the masterhead stand out.

The colour scheme of this particular issue differs from the usual one by using gold and white. These colours are often associated with wealth or luxury, and as a result, the magazine tries to advertise this issue as being particularly good or even a privilege to own. These colours are also used on the text to advertise the band on the cover. By having such a high profile band on the cover the texts needs to be fitting, but more importantly advertise to potential readers what the main article of the issue is so they would be more likely to buy it. A gold strip is also used to advertise the other main article again, to attract interests and draw attention to the cover.

The main image takes up a lot of the page. Like the text used, the picture takes up a lot of the page in an attempt to advertise the main story and attract potential readers. Interestingly, only the middle band member has been placed in front of the masterhead. This draws attention to him over the other two suggesting he’s the lead singer and more important. By emphasising the man, the issue is more likely to generate interest than if they had say the drummer at the front and middle. The fact the lead singer has his hand on his heart could suggest he is passionate about music, appealing to readers to who music is an essential part of their life and as a result the magazine directly involves the reader. The layout here is also important; the designers need to

be sure that the reader knows what is in the issue easily and quickly so as not to alienate them. Because of the relatively small amount of text and the size of the important parts, the cover fits this criteria (see the cyan line curving around the page showing where the reader looks when the first see the cover). Straight away by looking at the masterhead, the reader can guess what the magazine is about and then looking at the picture and caption what the reader finds out what is in the issue within a matter of seconds.

The masterhead on this cover takes up relatively little space on in the magazine; it’s almost hidden away and covered by the picture. This could be in an attempt to suggest to the readers that music is more important than the magazine almost saying the most important thing is what the magazine is about not generate profit. Like the Kerrang magazine, the creators are trying to appeal directly to their potential audience, by connoting that they (the magazine) is passionate about music and that is one of if not the most important aspect of life.

The most interesting aspect of this cover it the photo; it takes near three quarter of the page and is (obviously) edited to show the artist’s band in an explosion in his own mouth. This is used as a ploy to get the reader wondering why the magazine has done this, in turn enticing the reader to buy it to try and find out why Q have done this to the photo. As the orange in the flames doesn’t conform to the colour scheme, it is likely that the issue will stand out on the shelf when it is on sale.

The main cover line below the picture attracts a lot of attention in two ways. Firstly the only white and red text on the dark background physically stands out drawing attention to what is says. Secondly, what it actually says: “This will kill me!” is a very strong statement and as a result the reader would want to know what will kill him and how it would do so.

The buzz word looks more like a sticker because everything else on the cover is square but this is in a circle. Because it looks like the sticker, it suggests that it was added at the last minute in turn suggesting that it wasn’t planned (Like it’s saying “oh, and more thing”). As it doesn’t fit with the rest of the page, the reader’s attention is drawn to it. The “FREE!” on its own would also generate interest because the reader would want to know what they could get and if they are interested will obviously buy the magazine.

The other cover lines going along the left side of the page are also placed there with the intent to generate interest in the issue by advertising the main articles are about (relatively) high profile bands in an attempt to attract fans of the bands. If the reader isn’t a fan of either of the bands, they could still be tempted to buy the issue because of the tag lines. “Sex, drugs and golf in LA” makes the reader want to know more detail and see if there are pictures (not of the sex) but of the anarchy the band is causing. Similarly, “He’s back… He’s funnier!” will intrigue the reader because they would want to either judge for themselves if he’s funnier or find out how he is funnier.

The main image on this issue is quite serious, and almost suggests power through the artist’s expression and the position of his hands. This in turn could attract interest because potential readers would want to know (if they didn’t know already) who it is and why he is portrayed as powerful or important. His hands also give the impression that he wants to get down to business again suggesting he’s serious about his work.

The cover line on the right hand side and bottom are written in alternate white and red text. This makes the writing stand out on the dark background (except for the white text on the artist’s hand) but also makes it easy for the reader to see when one act ends and the other begins. The red + literally means “plus” and “and” but also stands out and will draw attention to the area; it literally says to the reader “start here” and automatically the reader would read the list of acts performing at the two festivals.

This particular issue puts a lot of emphasis on the (2011) Reading and Leeds festivals (see the green circles). This is because NME know that a majority of their readers go/ want to go to festivals. By advertising the magazine’s connection to the hugely popular festivals, they would appeal to a huge proportion of their target market. Chances are that the readers will be desperate to know the line-up because it is the most important part of the weekend. By offering readers the line-up, it’s possible the reader would by the issue just to know the line-up.

The smaller pictures on left hand side are also likely to appeal to the audience. Because of the low angle they were taken from combined with the lighting behind the performers and the fact they all have microphones implies they’re all on stage. Although it wouldn’t be the Reading or Leeds festival, it’s still a live performance which will appeal to the festival going readers. They (unlike the main image) set the tone for the magazine and implicate what the issue is about.

The tag lines are also going to generate interest and hook the reader through the use of bold/outrageous statements. “I od’d on animal tranquilizer” is a shocking thing and as a result the readers would what to know the details and would buy the issue to find them. Similarity, “say hello to music’s odd future” is likely to make someone buy the issue because they would want to know things like how it’s odd and who Tyler the creator actually is.

After reading this tag line, readers (in particular her fans) would want to know what she’s like and why/ how there were wrong about her; by making this statement, the reader could disagree and possibly be outraged and so would by the issue to find out. Alternatively, they may take a different attitude, and be more curious than angered, but either way, the quote attracts attention and would make people more likely to buy the issue.

The cover lines here aren’t particularly clear as to what they are about; for example when the consumer sees “Bull on Parade, they possibly wouldn’t know who or what was “on parade” because they don’t know that bull was short for Pitbull until the read the tag line, which they have only read as a result of seeing the cover line. The cover line then intrigues the reader, enticing them to read on and buy the issue.

On this issue of the magazine, the background is quite dark and/or faded, this is because it makes the red hair and lips of the singer really stand out which draws attention to the issue when it’s on the shelf.

By advertising this conference, they allow the readers a change to gain access to an event that would appeal to them; readers would want to the issue to find out how to register. They also make sure the read knows about it by printing it in bright yellow capital letters.

Here, the magazine directly involves the reader by offering them something; in this case a chance to have their say about something that the feel passionate about and as a result they are likely to buy the issue to find out how to get involved.

The seriousness of the main image sets the tone of the magazine, connoting that the content won’t necessarily be exciting, but it is honest and/or important. Because this image goes against the personality of this particular artist, readers would want to know why he looks how he does in the photo and would be more likely to buy it.

Like the main image, the main cover line is very serious but also scandalous because it lists prescription drugs followed by “I literally almost died” and as a result the reader would want to know the connection between the drugs and how he nearly died. They would also want to know what drove him to them.

Here, the magazine advertises a countdown of the “50 hottest rap blogs”. Because it’s a countdown, readers would want to know if their favourite acts have fared well or made the list at all and if they haven’t, they would want to know who the magazine ranked higher and why.

The name “Vibe” is used to try and suggest that the magazine is cool and keeps touch with the reader’s feelings, appealing to them directly. The style of the masterhead itself is quite cool, as the red to black fade almost has a neon light effect.

The font on the magazine is used to draw attention to the articles of the magazine; the biggest acts in the issue that are more likely to appeal to the widest fan base are in the biggest font such as “Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jay-Z & T.I.” whereas the smaller acts are in smaller fonts. With the biggest act is advertised in red and the biggest font on the cover (except the masterhead). This is to try and attract as many people to the magazine as possible so they are more likely to buy the issue.

This buzz word attracts a lot of attention and implies that this is the best rap magazine by adverting itself as “the real rap issue” suggesting that this is the only reliable rap magazine.