research into similar magazine audiences

NME

“The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles chart, in the 14 November 1952 edition. In the 1970s it became the best-selling British music newspaper. During the period 1972 to 1976 it was particularly associated with gonzo journalism, and then became closely associated with punk rock through the writing of Tony Parsons and Julie Burchill. An online version of NME, NME.COM, was launched in 1996. Today NME.COM has 5 million users per month.” Wikipedia source

The target audience of NME is a younger audience from around 13- 25 which is very similar to the age group to that I found would be interested in the magazine I will be constructing. The content of NME is therefore aimed at a younger audience which is reflected in the contents and type of text included in NME. The genre associated with NME is mainly rock which fits in which fits in with the young target audience as the genre is generally associated with a younger target audience.

Q

“Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.

Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology. 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. In the early years, the magazine was sub-titled "The modern guide to music and more". Originally it was to be called Cue (as in the sense of cueing a record, ready to play), but the name was changed so that it wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine. Another reason, cited in Q's 200th edition, is that a single-letter title would be more prominent on newsstands.” Wikipedia source

Q’s target audience is more vast and appeals to a wider target audience as it covers more music genres and is aimed at a more vast range of age groups, though it is aimed at music buyers over 25 years old. This is reflected in the contents and language as the style of text and complexity is aimed at older readers. Q contains more contents than NME as it covers more genres and so is a bigger magazine in term of contents.


Rolling stone 

"Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner, who is still editor and publisher, and music critic Ralph J. Gleason.

The magazine was known for its political coverage beginning in the 1970s, with the enigmatic and controversial gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.Rolling Stone magazine changed its format in the 1990s to appeal to younger readers, often focusing on young television or film actors and pop music. This led to criticism that the magazine was emphasizing style over substance. In recent years, the magazine has resumed its traditional mix of content, including in-depth political stories, and has seen its circulation increase." Wikipedia source 

The target audience of rolling stone is vast as it covers popular culture and more than just music, as it also follows film and politics. The magazine is not aimed at one particular age group due to the vast range of topics covered in the magazine, however the content is aimed at an older audience than teenagers partly due to their lack of interest in politics. rolling stone is aimed at both males and females as popular culture interests both sexes, although some articles inside the magazine may be aimed at more specific target audiences inside the main target audience.