Background and Ownership
Q magazine started circulation in 1986 and prided itself on providing a monthly production that was of a higher standard to the main music press in terms of photography and printing. Q started out under a different name, "The modern guide to music" but was later changed as the press company felt a one letter title would be more prominent on newstands. Q magazine has created an identity for itself in the modern world with much of its content being used intertexually within other brands. The brands creators set about making a magazine that held extensive reviews and became devoted to music interviews with popular music artists. This is one of the reasons Q magazine is still one of the top music magazines around today, with a circulation of around 130,179.
In the music world, Q is well known for introducing the 'spine line' that came about after the editor decided to put a line on the spine of the book that had relevance to the content. This technique is still being used today. It is stated to be the Uk's best selling music magazine and herald a bold new creative vision widening its parameters to include the world outside music. Seeing life through the lens of music, it draws references from the world of sport, comedy, film and even politics.
Q is owned by Bauer/ Emap who also own the publishing rights to Kerrang, Mojo and Empire.Q also reached out to other media formats such as radio, Tv and internet. Q radio was launched in 2008 and is known in the industry for playing almost entirely indie rock music. As well as the radio Q music station was launched alongside the magazine and, again, is the front runner in promoting indie style music. As well as this, Q also holds an annual music awards title the Q awards. By having the brand spread our across many different media platforms it is almost impossible for audiences to escape the brand name and will be come into contact with it in some way or another.
When talking about audience Q's readers are aged between 18 and 35 years. They are Open minded experience seekers, the Q audience don’t define themselves by the music they listen to. Music is an important passion, but their love of music will never be to the detriment of their other passions, such as film, sport and comedy
Style/Layout/Mode of Address
Q consists of approximately 190 A4 pages produced in glossy, full colour paper. The £3.90 price suggests that this magazine is more likely to be targeted towards the more mature college students and adults, however because of the monthly releases and not weekly, £3.90 would be sustainable for a teenage audience. The cover does not follow the expected magazine conventions but instead focuses on one main image with very little balance between image and text ratio. The image focuses on linking the main headin of the magazine to the image and creating a sense of continuity within the magazine. The image is of the band 'Kings of Leon,' readers become aware of this due to the boldly titled band name taking the majority of focus in the center of the frint cover. The stances taken by the band and the shards of glass around them are linked to their Breakthrough in 2008 highlighted in pink underneath the main heading. By doing this audience will automatically distinguish the focus of the magazine and will be able to decide on the spot whether or not this takes their interest. Aside from this center image, the cover features the infamous Q masthead, as well as the expected barcode and date.
The content of the magazine is expressed in the same form as the main heading but placed in a way that would not detract from the center image. This layout offers very little to audiences when establishing more magaine content and is limiting audiences by focusing on one main band as many may not like or listen to this style of music. The style of Q has been dominated in the past by more indie rock influences and the bands referred to on the cover follow the expectations from audiences. The cover image, contents page and general news pages all suggest a more mature audience due to the use of pastel colours on a white background. This would be more viually stimulating to adult audiences and allows the magazine opportunity to write in sophisticated text to follow the style and layout of the magazine. Photography plays a very important part in this magazines identity and the very artistic choice of images throughout the magazine also tie into a more sophisticated stance.
Content and approach to music
Q is a non genre - specific monthly publication that prvvides stimulating insight into all aspects of the music industry as well as film, sport and entertainment. The reviews and articles featured in Q differ however it is accepted by mass that Q will alway have a slight focus towards the more mainstream indie/pop music of the new millenium. Q's approach to music is highlighted as one that regocnises the inspirational and encourages talent that will enthrall audiences and install enthusiasm within audiences. This is seen in their article praising the 50 best albums of 2008, also mentioned on the cover image. Q take a very contempary approach to music but at the same time they are very focused on praising the talents of the artists and their successes rather than highlighting the celebrity, in that respect its very much a leader in the music press.
Editorial content: 'Opinion - leaders' and reader interaction
Q's stance to music editing is interesting in the way that they consciencly opt to not dictate the taste in music to its audiences. As with most magazines certain artists and stories are given 'starring roles' but their objectivity and balanced insights allow opportunity for audiences to form their own opinions. This is demonstaretd by editorial 'hierachies' in classification and reviews, more specifically in Q's best albums of 2008.
The target audience are always given the oportunity to pass their own judgement whilst at the same time their intelligence is never insulted. Q's readers are always given insight into accessing certain tracks and artists in general- this is especially usefull in the modern age as new and improved ways of access music technology has become available.
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