Fourth Textual Analysis - NME

                                                                                       
          Textual Analysis 4 - Front Cover

This NME magazine issue features the new British band 'Palma Violets'. The main cover photo fills the whole page and therefore this is the main focus of the magazine front cover.

This cover follows the conventions of an alternative magazine front cover by its simple layout, and its colour scheme of yellow white and red; the colour red is the most typically used eye catching colour on alternative magazine covers, and as it is only used for the masthead typography it connotes that the title of the magazine is the most important piece of text and as a result this is the first piece of typography the audience reads. There are minimum cover lines to keep the main focus on the large cover photo which is also a typical convention of an alternative magazine.

The main cover photograph itself is busy and chaotic as it has been taken during a performance in front of a small audience. The low ceiling suggests that they are performing in a small venue, connoting they are a new band; this is reinforced by the quote 'best new band in Britain' under the large headline of the name of the band 'Palma Violets'. 

The guitars act as 'props' in this main cover image and connote the alternative electronic music the band produce and were performing in this moment. The main guitarist of the band is leaning towards the camera and is the largest figure in this main cover photo this connotes he is the main focus of this magazine cover and is also of the most importance in the band.

His body language suggests a number of facts about his thoughts and feelings. For example he is not stood in a posed position looking in a direct camera gaze unlike on other music magazine front covers, instead he is in mid performance. This therefore connotes that he wants to be known and recognised to be passionate about the bands music, a good performer and music artist and is not necessarily worried about the 'fame' side of the music industry. His hair is also sweaty as is those in the audience, the audience's arms are also up in the air and they are in mid dance, this connotes that the band have been performing for a while and are also lively and energetic performers. 

Another key body language which supports this connotation is his closed eyes and emotionless facial expression; many well known artists in the music industry perform with shut or closed eyes which suggests to their audience that they are 'lost in the music' and therefore demonstrate a more emotional attachment to their music and as a result, so do their audience and 'fans'. 

The overall effect on NME's target audience, who enjoy finding out about new bands or watching live performances, will make them want to find out more about the 'best new band in britain', 'Palma Violets' and will therefore buy this particular music magazine as a results of all of its connotations.