Why do people read music magazines?

People read music magazines to be entertained, to spend time reading about something they like. A person who likes metal wouldn't buy a teen pop magazine, because they enjoy metal, they would spend money on the things they enjoy. People also read music magazines to find out about tour dates and concerts, which yet again, the person would buy the magazine targeted towards their target group, so the spend time in an environment they enjoy, you wouldn't see the Mexican matriarchy band at a K pop concert. People also buy music magazines because they have incentives such as 'FREE POSTERS' and 'EXCLUSIVE LOOKS INTO....' so they make the reader feel special and persuaded them to buy it, in order to have this limited edition.

Further info on my T.A.P

As part of a further target audience profile profile, I have asked members of my target audience sort of things they get up to in their spare time, so 'what bands listen to, what books they read and what genre of films they listen to.

Who would read your magazine?

The people who would enjoy reading my magazine, would be people who like darker metal, and people who like pretty hard core metal. Examples of these bands would be, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Avatar, The Defiled, Finntroll, Disturbed and PowerWolf. These bands range across a few sub genres in metal, but they all have things in common, such as quite dark covers with deep satanic symbolism.

CONCLUSION FROM INTERVIEWS

Write a summary of my audience research and what I have learned from it;

From the 3 interviews I've conducted, I have leant that the bands written about today are too diverse and mainstream, and magazine are the old way to get social information, as it can all be sourced quickly and with no cost, and if any changes occur, it can be changed on the web instead of finding out too late or having to publish a whole new magazine just because of one minor change. Most people from the target audience would like to see more free items, more posters, more tour dates more promotions and underground bands, a long with exclusive looks into videos and upcoming events. These people are in my target audience and my magazine should be tailored to their preferances and requests so they would buy my magazine. 

CHALLENGE PART 3

I also got to interview Lochrann Urquhart.

LOCHRANN;
So, what kind of music do you listen to?

I listen to all many kinds of metal

Do you buy music magazines? If not, why?

I don't buy the metal magazines  because I source my information online.

What would you like to see in a music magazine?

I would like to see free stuff in a metal magazine

For your chosen Sub-Genre (Rock, Dance, Pop etc) create a Target Audience Profile.

Most people who buy HAMMER tend to be men aged between 15 and 25. Most tend to be of western ethnicity and range in social class, income and location. Most would have tattoos, dyed, long hair and would work in retail, volenteering or a creative work of line. They would steryotypically wear black, band tops and chains. They would probably go to a lot of gigs and concerts and live life to the fullest in their own way, in a way they see fit. 

10 things that make a metal magazine

1. Controversial picture
2. Edgy and graphic masthead
3. Dark house style
4. Dark background
5. Lots of info about gigs
6. Violent pictures & suggestions
7. Religious puns
8. One/two people from the band on the cover at anyone time
9. High contrast/ Monotone colour scheme
10. Lots of props

 

CHALLENGE PART 2

I also got to 'interview' Reaper Walton.

REAPER;
So, what kind of music do you listen to?

Metal.

Do you buy the magazines? If not, why not?

No cos they are often too diverse so most of it I don't like. Not much of a reader either.

What would you like to see in a music magazine?

Good bands. Good underground bands. Promotion for shows, upcoming albums etc

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Interview members of this target market and ask them why they buy or don't buy music magazines and try and find out what they want in a music magazine.


For this I interviewed Nathan Robinson, seeing as he lives in Wales, it was easier to do it over Skype;
So, what kind of music do you listen to?
Heavy metal, and a lot of it.
Do you buy the metal magazines?
No.
Why?
The music these days isn't what I listen to, I'm a heavy metal fan, most of the 'metal' these days are.. not to my standard, not satisfactory. If I did buy a magazine it would be 'Hammer' because they focus on all metal and newer better ones.
What would you like to see in a metal magazine?
I'd like to see a lot more tour dates, descriptions on new/old band background's, more interviews with them, exclusive looks in to new videos and albums and more posters.

T.A.P for the reader of 'Kerrang!'

T.A.P for the reader of 'Kerrang!'

The target audience will range from 16-25, as they feature bands from Metalica to Brokencyde.
This magazine can appeal to both genders and all ethnicities, but its hard to find many others than Caucasians reading this magazine.
'Kerrang!' promote social interaction as they promote social events and gatherings, I don't think there is a set class, but I doubt there there would be an upper class, little old lady, reading Kerrang.