madonna Q cover

This magazine ‘Q’ follows the typical conventions of a music magazine. Featuring in the top left hand corner of the cover is the masthead and although it appears to be slightly covered as the main image and tag line, ‘196 page bumper issue’, are over lapping this masthead, it is still recognisable to the audience as it is from a mainstream institute and therefore well known.

The main focus of the cover is the artist image of Madonna, a universal pop icon, which contributes to the well known vibe the magazine is giving off along with the sell line, ‘Britain’s biggest music magazine’ which is placed underneath the masthead. As the text is in a small print this shows the editors dont see this as a way to atttract their audience to the cover. Also its being over lapped by the image this suggests the magazine is successful and therefore know that they are able to cover some features with images and text.

'Q' magazine spreads across a wide range due to the magazine featuring both new and old music and artists. 'Q' magazine have a general target audience aged predominantly 18-30 due to the genre of the magazine being indie/rock which consists of a number of male bands such as 'Rolling Stones' 'Kaiser Chiefs' and 'Arctic Monkeys'. However from my research Q is starting to broaden there target audience by including artists from other genres of music such as pop and RnB,e.g. Cheryl Cole and Girls Aloud.

Q have chosen to use the image of Madonna to attract both the yuonger and older genreation due to Madonna being of an older age and is know trying to target herself at a younger audience such as teenagers to compete with other female artists in the music industry. Madonna has tried to target a younger audience by her glamourous makeup, hair and sexual pose as to be a icon/role model girls in todays society aspire to be like.

Madonnas targeting a more upper class people who would be able to afford the glamour and wealth Madonna symbolizes. My opinion for the reasons behind Madonna's controversial costume is 'Q' want to include musical stars that are both old and new and this is also shown through the main image as Madonna is quite an old pop icon but she is wearing clothes that a younger person would wear, of a tracksuit hoddie. Her clothing of a hodie maybe also targeting a more working class audience but Madonnas glamourous wealth style is being represented by a gold rim around the hood and the gold colour is symbolic of money, bling ect which then relates to people of upper class. This shows q magazine is appealing to a materialistic lifestyle. Q magazine has used Madonna to attract both men and women to the magazine. she's been used to look sexy and attractive for men and then been shown as strong and independant and an inspiration for women.In my opinion Madonna isn't targeting one particular race in general but obviously as madonna is of a white race, she may attract the white race more due to young white girls wanting to look like her ect.

As of Madonna through her pose, direct eye contact, and sexual yet serious facial expression creates an atmosphere to the audience that Madonna is in control. Also the direction of the shot also creates this powerfull, sexual, controlling vibe. To insure this concept of power and control is conveyed to the audience Q have used a medium close up,to insure her expression is clear therefore making her feel more powerful and making the audience feel they are powerless and uneasy.

On the cover of the magazine there are tag lines going down the left side of the magazine.
They include 'Rolling Stones, at the movies' and 'Arctic Monkeys, in a pub.' Q magazine do this so the audience have more of an insight of whats going to be included in the magazine. This also helps the audience feel more included as the tag lines highlight there everyday lifestyles. Also to make the audience feel more included there is a puff which reads " The 50 best british Albulms as Voted by 'you' with the word "You" in a white bold font which makes the audience feel asif they have had an input towards the magazine.
The magazine seems to be quite expensize at £3.90 therefore the audience have to have more of a wealthy lifestyle to be able to afford the magazine. This highlites that its a successful magazine as its being able to be sold at this price.

Q have listed names of celebrites included in the special such as Adele, Kate Bush as well as 'lots more'. This attracts the reader towards the magazine as you want to buy then read Q to find out what other celebrites are included therefore it gives offf the right amount of information to he reader.