Q (magazine)
File:Q logo.png | |
Editor | Paul Rees |
---|---|
Categories | Music |
Frequency | Monthly |
Publisher | Bauer |
First issue | 1986 |
Country | ![]() |
Language | English |
Website | www.q4music.com |
Q is a music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom, with a circulation of 130,179 as of June 2007[1].
Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology — from artists such as Paul Simon, Level 42, and Dire Straits. Modeled after Rolling Stone, Q was first published in 1986, setting itself apart from much of the other music press with monthly production and higher standards of photography and printing. In the early years, the magazine was sub-titled "The modern guide to music and more". Originally it was to be called Cue (as in the sense of cueing a record, ready to play), but the name was changed so that it wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine. Another reason, cited in Q's 200th edition, is that a single-letter title would be more prominent on newsstands.
Content
The magazine has an extensive review section, featuring: new releases (music), reissues (music), music compilations, film and live concert reviews, as well as radio and television reviews. It uses a star rating system from one to five stars; indeed, the rating an album receives in Q is often added to print and television advertising for the album in the UK and Ireland. It also compiles a list of approximately eight albums, which it classes as the best new releases of the last three months.
Much of the magazine is devoted to interviews with popular musical artists.
The magazine is well known for compiling lists. It has created many, ranging from "The 100 Greatest albums" to the "100 Greatest '100 Greatest' Lists". The most famous of these is the classic "50 bands to see before you die". Every other month, Q - and its sister magazine, Mojo (also owned by Bauer) - have a special edition. These have been about musical times, genres, or a very important/influential musician.
Often, promotional gifts are given away, such as cover-mounted CDs or books. The January, 2006 issue included a free copy of "The Greatest Rock and Pop Miscellany … Ever!", modeled on Schott's Original Miscellany.
Every issue of Q has a different message on the spine. Readers then try to work out what the message has to do with the contents of the mag. This practice — known as the "spine line" — has since become commonplace among British lifestyle magazines, including Q's movie-centric sister rag, Empire and the football monthly FourFourTwo.
Usual features include The Q50, wherein the magazine lists the top 50 essential tracks of the month; Cash for Questions, in which a famous celeb/band answers question sent in by readers - who win £25 if their question is printed; Ten Commandments, wherein a particular singer creates their very own ten commandments by which to live and Rewind, in which they take us back in time through the history of music via archive issues of Q. On March 4, 2007, "Q" named Elvis Presley the greatest singer of all time.
Q today
Q's current editor is Paul Rees, former editor of the UK edition of Kerrang!, another musical Bauer publication based on heavier rock/metal music.
In 2006, Q published a readers' survey; the 100 Greatest Songs Ever, won by Oasis' Live Forever.[1]
In the April 2007 issue, Q published an article containing the 100 Greatest Singers, won by Elvis Presley.[2]
Q has a history of associating with charitable organizations, and in 2006 the British anti-poverty charity War on Want was named its official charity.
Q Radio
After a few years as a radio jukebox, Q Radio launched in June 2008 as a full service radio station with a complete roster. Shows and presenters include QPM with Samanthi, Russell Kane and Acid Jazz founder Eddie Piller.
The station is transmitted on the digital television networks in the UK, across London on DAB and online. The programme director is former Top Of The Pops producer Ric Blaxill.
Coldplay were involved with the launch of the station by giving an exclusive interview on Q's flagship programme QPM on the launch day.
Other Q brands
There is also a Q TV television channel in the UK. Q also holds a yearly awards ceremony called the Q Awards.
Criticism
Some critics and readers of the magazine have believed it to have lost its edge, and is now opting to play 'safe' with who and what it covers, focusing more on the popularity of the band rather than the actual music itself. Controversial reviews include James Blunt's Back To Bedlam (four stars), the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium (five stars) and Kaiser Chiefs' Yours Truly, Angry Mob all of which have been ridiculed by some press as being over produced, and made simply to please the mainstream audience. Controversially, the highly praised Silent Shout by The Knife received 1/2 stars.
Other criticism comes from the magazine being "far too generous to British musicians" with its ratings. Also the recent trend of continuously publishing 'top 100' lists has attracted accusations of lazy journalism.
Albums awarded five stars in Q
- Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
- Otis Redding - Otis Blue (1965)
- Kate Bush - Hounds of Love (1985) - on re-release in 1997.
- Cameo - Word Up! (1986)
- Miles Davis - Tutu (1986)
- Paul Simon - Graceland (1986)
- Big Black - Atomizer (1986)
- U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)- also on the re-release in 2007
- The Golden Palominos - Blast Of Silence (1987)
- Prince - Sign “☮” the Times (1987)
- Michael Jackson - Bad (1987)
- Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel Of Love (1987)
- Eurythmics - Savage (1987)
- Steve Roach & Kevin Braheny - Western Spaces (1987)
- The Robert Cray Band - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1988)
- Gail Ann Dorsey - The Corporate World (1988)
- John Hiatt - Slow Turning (1988)
- Randy Newman - Land of Dreams (1988)
- Siouxsie & The Banshees - Peep Show (1988)
- The Smiths - Rank (1988)
- Richard Thompson - Amnesia (1988)
- U2 - Rattle and Hum (1988)
- R.E.M. - Green (1988)
- Morrissey - Viva Hate (1988)
- Elvis Costello - Spike (1989)
- Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl (1989)
- Neville Brothers - Yellow Moon (1989)
- Simple Minds - Street Fighting Years (1989)
- The Golden Palominos - A Dead Horse (1989)
- Carmel - Set Me Free (1989)
- Batman - OST (1989)
- The Blue Nile - Hats (1989)
- Tears for Fears - The Seeds of Love (1989)
- David Byrne - Rei Momo (1989)
- Neil Young - Freedom (1989)
- John Lee Hooker - The Healer (1989)
- The Christians - Colour (1990)
- Altan - The Red Crow (1990)
- Alexander O'Neal - All True Man (1991)
- Elvis Costello - Mighty Like a Rose (1991)
- Electronic - Electronic (1991)
- Dire Straits - On Every Street (1991)
- Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II (1991)
- Metallica - Metallica (The Black Album) (1991)
- U2 - Achtung Baby (1991)
- Bruce Springsteen - Human Touch (1992)
- Morrissey - Your Arsenal (1992)
- Terence Trent D'Arby - Symphony or Damn (1993)
- Neil Young - Unplugged (1993)
- Crowded House - Together Alone (1993)
- Morrissey - Vauxhall and I (1994)
- Soundgarden - Superunknown (1994)
- Neil Young - Sleeps With Angels (1994)
- Suede - Dog Man Star (1994)
- Jeff Buckley - Grace (1994)
- Radiohead - The Bends (1995)
- Therapy? - Infernal Love (1995)
- Blur - The Great Escape (1995)
- Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - E. 1999 Eternal (1995)
- The Blue Nile - Peace At Last (1996)
- R.E.M. - New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
- The Lightning Seeds - Dizzy Heights (1996)
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - The Boatman's Call (1997)
- Supergrass - In It For The Money (1997)
- Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)
- The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land (1997)
- Oasis - Be Here Now (1997)
- Common - One Day It'll All Make Sense (1997)
- Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
- Daft Punk - Discovery (2001)
- Semisonic - All About Chemistry (2001)
- R.E.M - Reveal (2001)
- The Strokes - Is This It (2001)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way (2002)
- The Strokes - Room on Fire (2003)
- The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free (2004)
- Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005)
- Coldplay - X&Y (2005)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (2006)
- Muse - Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
- Razorlight - Razorlight (2006)
- Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (2007)
- Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
- Radiohead - In Rainbows (2007)
- Led Zeppelin - Mothership (2007)
- Muse - H.A.A.R.P (2008)
Music releases
Q has numerous CD releases, including: Template:Multicol
- Essential Drive" (July 2001)
- Essential Dance" (May 2001)
- Genius in Radiohead
- Best of 2001" (December 2001)
- Rise and Shine (May 2002)
- The Best Tracks From The Best Albums 2002 (Awards Issue 2002)
- Q Rocks (Issue 203)
- Best of 03 (Issue 209)
- Essential Radiohead
- Essential Glastonbury
- Ultimate Songwriters
- Best of 2004 (Issue 221)
- Rule Britannia
- Glastonbury Jukebox
- Here Comes the Sun
- Lennon Covered #1
- Mellow Gold
- Best of 2005 (Volumes 1 & 2)
- Best of 86/06
- Covered: The Eighties (2006)
- Radiohead Radio Hits
- Take It Easy
- Live From Glastonbury
- Summer Festivals '98 (Issue 142)
- Best of 2007 (Issue 257 December 2007)
- R.E.M Jukebox (April 2008)
List of cover stars
- October 1986: Paul McCartney
- November 1986: Rod Stewart
- December 1986: Elton John
- January 1987: Eric Clapton
- February 1987: MTV
- March 1987: Michael Jackson
- April 1987: The Bangles
- May 1987: Bruce Springsteen
- June 1987: The Beatles
- July 1987: U2
- August 1987: Morrissey and Roger Waters
- September 1987: Terence Trent D'Arby
- October 1987: Mick Jagger
- November 1987: Prince
- December 1987: Mark Knopfler
- January 1988: Suzanne Vega
- February 1988: Annie Lennox
- March 1988: Wet Wet Wet
- April 1988: Tina Turner
- May 1988: The Pogues
- June 1988: George Michael
- July 1988: Nelson Mandela Concert
- August 1988: Pink Floyd
- September 1988: Tracy Chapman
- October 1988: Keith Richards
- November 1988: U2
- December 1988: R.E.M.
- January 1989: Mark Knopfler and Randy Newman
- February 1989: Lou Reed
- March 1989: Guns N' Roses
- April 1989: Depeche Mode
- May 1989: Peter Gabriel
- June 1989: David Bowie
- July 1989: Paul McCartney
- August 1989: Summer Festivals
- September 1989: Tears for Fears
- October 1989: The Rolling Stones
- November 1989: Kate Bush
- December 1989: Bob Dylan
- January 1990: The 80's
- February 1990: Tanita Tikaram
- March 1990: Phil Collins
- April 1990: David Bowie
- May 1990: Fleetwood Mac
- June 1990: Chrissie Hynde and Billy Idol
- July 1990: The Stone Roses
- August 1990: The Rolling Stones
- September 1990: Pink Floyd
- October 1990: George Michael
- November 1990: Paul McCartney
- December 1990: Sinéad O'Connor
- January 1991: INXS
- February 1991: Sting
- March 1991: Queen
- April 1991: R.E.M.
- May 1991: Simple Minds
- June 1991: Madonna
- July 1991: Guns N' Roses
- August 1991: The Black Crowes
- September 1991: "Who's Cracked It In 1991?"
- October 1991: Simply Red
- November 1991: Bryan Adams
- December 1991: Eric Clapton
- January 1992: Pet Shop Boys
- February 1992: George Michael
- March 1992: John Lydon
- April 1992: Nirvana
- May 1992: Cher
- June 1992: Jimi Hendrix
- July 1992: U2
- August 1992: Bruce Springsteen
- September 1992: Morrissey
- October 1992: R.E.M.
- November 1992: Neneh Cherry
- December 1992: Bob Dylan
- January 1993: U2
- February 1993: Suede
- March 1993: Sting
- April 1993: Rod Stewart
- May 1993: David Bowie
- June 1993: Terence Trent D'Arby
- July 1993: The Cure
- August 1993: INXS
- September 1993: U2
- October 1993: Nirvana
- November 1993: Sting
- December 1993: Kate Bush
- January 1994: Meat Loaf
- February 1994: Crowded House
- March 1994: Eric Clapton
- April 1994: Morrissey
- May 1994: PJ Harvey, Björk and Tori Amos
- June 1994: Kurt Cobain
- July 1994: Prince
- August 1994: The Rolling Stones
- September 1994: Sinéad O'Connor
- October 1994: R.E.M.
- November 1994: Pink Floyd
- December 1994: Madonna
- January 1995: 100 Bumper Issue
- February 1995: Bon Jovi
- March 1995: Blur
- April 1995: Elton John
- May 1995: R.E.M.
- June 1995: U2
- July 1995: Oasis
- August 1995: Courtney Love
- September 1995: Morrissey
- October 1995: Supergrass
- November 1995: Simply Red
- December 1995: The Beatles
- January 1996: R.E.M.
- February 1996: Oasis
- March 1996: Blur
- April 1996: Pulp
- May 1996: The Cranberries
- June 1996: Sex Pistols
- July 1996: Shaun Ryder
- August 1996: Alanis Morissette
- September 1996: Oasis
- October 1996: 10th Anniversary Issue
- November 1996: R.E.M.
- December 1996: Ocean Colour Scene
- January 1997: Oasis
- February 1997: Kula Shaker
- March 1997: U2
- April 1997: Blur
- May 1997: The Beautiful South
- June 1997: Paul McCartney
- July 1997: Texas
- August 1997: Paul Weller
- September 1997: Oasis
- October 1997: Radiohead
- November 1997: The Verve
- December 1997: The Prodigy
- January 1998: Oasis
- February 1998: The 100 Greatest Albums In The Universe
- March 1998: Madonna
- April 1998: The Seventies
- May 1998: Tori Amos
- June 1998: Mick Hucknall
- July 1998: Festival Special
- August 1998: The 100 Richest Stars In Rock 'N' Roll
- September 1998: Robbie Williams
- October 1998: Manic Street Preachers
- November 1998: R.E.M.
- December 1998: George Michael
- January 1999: James Dean Bradfield, Cerys Matthews, Michael Stipe
- February 1999: The 100 Greatest Singles Of All Time
- March 1999: Shirley Manson (Garbage)
- April 1999: Blur
- May 1999: Texas
- June 1999: Cerys Matthews
- July 1999: The Corrs
- August 1999: John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- September 1999: Melanie Chisholm
- October 1999: Red Hot Chili Peppers
- November 1999: Shania Twain
- December 1999: Liam Gallagher
- April 2003: Christina Aguilera
- June 2007: Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys
- November 2007: Damon Albarn
- December 2007: Kylie Minogue
- January 2008: Led Zeppelin
- February 2008: Bono, Chris Martin and Noel Gallagher
- March 2008: 50 Years of Great British Music
- April 2008: R.E.M.
- May 2008: Madonna
- June 2008: Dave Grohl
- July 2008 Coldplay
References
- ^ "Standard Certificate of Circulation - Q" (PDF). Audit Bureau of Circulation. 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2008-02-08.