This double page spread is from NME magazine, it is an interview featuring Lilly Allen. This magazine both follows the typical conventions of a music magazine double page spread but also subverts these conventions. The main image in the article is a stereotypical representation of a pop/rock artist as Lilly Allen is presented with her hands on her hips which implies that she is laid back and is not fazed by anything which is the image that most Rock/Pop stars try to portray. Also her choice of costume is also conventional of a rock star as she is wearing a checkered shirt with her sleeves rolled up and the top buttons undone which is what most artists of this genre chose to wear. So we could use this choice of costume as an indication of her belonging to the rock/pop genre. Her choice of make-up for example black eye-liner also presents her as a typical female pop/rock artist this is also presented through her jet black short hair. Furthermore her facial expression presents her as emotionless and not bothered which is also typical of artists from this genre.The size of the image could emphasise her importance as a star as she takes up one side of the double page spread which could suggest that she is a very important star. The size of the image makes the article pleasing to the eye as it is a Mid-Shot and this allows the image to persuade the reader to go on and read the full article. The use of one image in the article is subverts the typical conventions of a double page spread as most magazines including NME use many smaller sized images in their articles.
The layout of the article is conventional as the text is presented in columns which is a convention of articles. The length of the article could indicate that it continues on to the next page as most magazines take up more than two pages in their articles. This article applies direct mode of address which is convenient for the targeted audience of NME so that they can relate to the text. This is a key feature to magazine articles as the readers must be able to associate themselves with what is said in the text because you wouldn't expect rock artists to speak formally as this would be a turn off for their targeted audience. NME also make use of a floating quote which is a typical convention of music magazine articles where they take out a quote from the artist which is appropriate and has most emphasis in the article. The floating quote used 'People think I'm an attention seeker, but I'm just honest' this quote is intentionally extracted from the article and highlighted to put emphasis on this quote this is because the targeted audience who aspire to live her lifestyle can read this quote and immediately relate this quote to themselves especially teenage audiences as they are mostly represented in this way. The size of the quote however is also unconventional as it consumes a lot of space on the page which is not usually done in music magazines. This article also has no heading which is again a typical feature of a music magazine article.
The use of colours in the article is also unconventional as it looks like a newspaper layout where the font is black and white. The use of colours is something that most magazines particularly rock magazines make use of. The plain layout of the text in this double page spread is intentionally done to draw the reader's attention to the main image of Lilly Allen as many magazines make use of many images and colours.
In conclusion I would say that this magazine mostly subverts the typical conventions of a music magazine despite also following some of the conventions of a magazine. As there is no main heading and the limited use of colours. However I still believe that this magazine is successful in appealing to their main targeted audience. This is done particularly through the main image and floating quotes which allows the audience to relate themselves to. I also believe that audiences that read this article for personal and social integrative needs in relation to the uses and gratifications theory. I say this because audiences that read this do this in order to talk about with their friends and also to boost their status and morale as the targeted audience associate themselves with this artist and may want to emulate their lifestyle.
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