exam practice: CLASH

CLASH uses media language such as colour to represent their musicians. In a lot of Clash magazines the colour are desaturated or very plain. This suggests to the reader that the musicians are serious and are also taken seriously by Clash. It may also connote the idea that the music they play is dark or that the musicians have a hard life. The usual use of a black background also connotes sophistication and elegance - these musicians aren't seen as a joke.

Often the main splash image is used to support these ideas. In a lot of Clash magazines the main splash is blurred or slightly hidden. The main splash never usually looks directly at the camera and  the eyes of the musician are obscured. This suggests that clash sees musicians above everyone else -they are stars and we don't see their eyes because we can't understand the hardships that musicians go to get their fame, therefore they are hidden/blurred from the rest of us. The front cover of most clash magazines are usually dominated by the musician. Unlike other magazines, clash tends to only have one image on the front. This emphasises the importance of that particular musician within the magazine and draws the readers attention straight to them.

The layouts is also very plain, with barely any coverlines or other writing on the front. Clash has the masthead in a sans-serif font and capitalisation is used, which connotes seriousness and authenticity. Having only one image and barely any coverlines once again emphasises the musician as well as the masthead, to the readers. When there are coverlines being used, they are often wonky or toppling over. This highlights the originality of the magazine and makes them stand out - showing that their musicians are different from the rest.