Textual analysis of existing texts- Deconstructing NME contents

This is a contents page for NME magazine. The NME logo that is used as the masthead is also featured on the front cover. This is probably done to advertise the NME brand. The NME logo has never really been changed and it is actually quite dated now but if the logo was ever to change it would disappoint the viewers because it would not be recognisable and it would not work. This contents page is interesting because on the left hand side there is a band index. In my opinion having a band index on the contents of a music magazine it really important. One of the main reasons why someone might read a music magazine is because of the band in it. Having a band index is a quick easy way for the reader to know if the bands they like are in the magazine. On the right hand side is a table of contents that is more conventional for all genres of magazines. The contents is split up by headings that are relevant to music. Even the headings are a method of trying to attract a reader for example "LIVE!" This is short and simple but straight away the reader knows what will be in this section. What I find interesting about this contents page is the centre of it. The first thing you look at when you see this contents page is the image in the centre. The centre of this page represents what a page in the magazine might look like because its got a heading and an image, the only thing missing is the article itself. This is a good advertising technique, on the very first page of the magazine have a heading and a image and it then makes the reader want to read the rest of the article. In large red letters it has "P6" It is almost like it is giving the reader and instruction: to read page 6. I find it interesting that there isn't a word from the editor. I know from looking at the contents page of other magazines that sometimes there is a feature from the editor starting something like "Hello readers," or for kerrang magazine it says " hello kerrangers"  On NME contents page there isn't anything like this. I think this is because the music is the most important thing and space isn't wasted on addressing the audience to inform them what is in the magazine. It is like the writer just wants the reader to start reading that magazine rather than reading the contents. Along the bottom of the page is an advertisement to subscribe to the magazine. I would say that the contents page is an effective place to put an advert because you can be sure that the reader will definitely see it.