We think music magazines are popular because
- Articles with musicians
In my opinion, articles with musicians is one of the key
reason people buy music magazines, as this sort of information is less likely
to be found on the internet than other information included in magazine such as
tour dates and CD’s on the market. I think music articles have become so
popular as they present a personal side to the artist that their music and other
media doesn’t always show. However there is a large difference between the
sorts of articles found in different genres, showing different sides of the
artist lives, as artists of different genres present themselves differently.
NME and TOTP both do this as they have different audiences to attract and these
audiences are attracted by different things.
For example in the TOTP 4th December 2012 issue
there is an article on Little Mix, but interestingly it doesn’t focus on the
music aspect of the band at all, the whole article is devoted to party dilemmas
and tips. This refers to the ‘Cult of Celebrity’ theory where celebrities’ are
more famous for being famous -and therefore getting sponsors jobs and other
commitments- rather than a talent eg. being a singer or sport player. This however is completely different with the
Jake Bugg article in the 17th December issue of NME where it is
clearly centred around the musicians aspect.
In the 17th December issue of NME, there is an
article about Jake Bugg which is significantly focusing on his arrogant, yet
truthful opinions which seem to voice what most indie/rock audiences are
thinking. These opinions would not be able to be voiced anywhere else and
therefore fans would this article is a glimpse into his true identity. Equally the Little Mix article does this on a
slightly less personal scale as it reveals their ‘Party secrets’, however due
to the audience being young teenage girls who are more focused on being entertained than
educated, the content doesn’t delve into serious personal information.
I have come to the conclusion that due to the recent sudden
increase of the use of the internet and advanced technology in everyday life,
websites such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become very
popular. This consequently means that artists now have a quick and easy way to
connect with their fans and give them an insight to their lives, and once more
these websites are free to access where as magazine have to be paid for. But
then again you come across the argument that it just more enjoyable to read a
magazine that’s laid out professionally in a way that would attract the reader
and keep them interested.
Magazines use marketing techniques to keep the reader
engaged and entertained and make them want to buy the magazine, and they do
this by using the uses and gratification theories. For example in both the Jake
Bugg article and the Little Mix article the title are references to songs of
that genre, the Jake Bugg one titled ‘The times they are a-changing’ is
referring to a Bob Dylan song about civil rights and Bob Dylan used his music
to get his opinion out and try and change things, which is what Jake Bugg is
attempting to do to the music industry- clear from his open negative opinions
on pop music/The X-Factor. Even though a less intellectual reference, the
Little Mix article title ‘How we do party!’ is referencing to a Rita Ora song. Despite
the referencing requiring very different levels of intelligence, when the
audience recognise the reference they feel proud and contented, and they relate
this feeling with reading the magazine, making them want to read it/buy it
again. This is feeding of the uses and gratification theory of reading/watching
the media to feel educated.
To conclude articles with musicians are very central parts
to a magazine as it gives them variation from what free e-media on the internet
can provide. It helps the audience to create their own identity and relate to
the artists, as well as create relationships with other people or sharing the
same interests and knowledge and giving them information to start conversations
with. This also relates the educational aspect where readers feel like they are
being educated by the magazines articles. Last but not least it entertains the
reader helping them to escape from the problems and stress of the outside
world, and this is the key aspect to why people by magazines.
