Reflection Point: What have I learned about Independent music magazine front covers?

I have done my own research about two independent music magazines, and from what I have learned, both magazines are playing with modernism, sometimes surrealism, and fights the stereotypes about ordinary layout and content of mainstream magazines. Independent magazines as same as a mainstream magazines have the main point in selling their product-which is the artist that is represented on the main image of the edition, however, most of time the artist or a band can be underground or not welly known, someone who is unlikely to be promoted by a mainstream platform,or who is considered as a pop-music artist. 

Each publication tries to create an atmosphere for the reader that will be appealing, creates something convenient for their taste, appealing, unknown, unfamiliar, unique and different from what we are used to see on the shells in the shops. Independent magazines differ from mainstream magazines by not only content and visual features, but also by the amount of advertising, usually independent magazines make their profit from sales of the copies, whilst mainstream magazines rely on the advertising and sales of copies as well. 

Usually, independent magazines arrange its design in such way in which it could provide an understanding of what can be expected from the edition, it constructs the appealing image and encourages to buy the magazine. As independent magazines do not publish any outside advertising, the cover is less busy with puffs and content plugs. But the magazines fill that gap with the cover-lines with numerous lists of artist’s names that the reader can find out about more in depth in the edition itself. It’s a very profitable promotion for underground artists or bands who have just started their music paths and it also can help find preferable music for reader.

In conclusion, independent magazines are freer in creating their covers, using different sets for their main images, typography and layouts. Magazines aim in finding an audience that will be interested in researching and acknowledging new music stars, then in just selling their copies as a mainstream platform.