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Q (magazine)

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Q
File:Q logo.png
EditorPaul Rees
CategoriesMusic
FrequencyMonthly
PublisherBauer
First issue1986
Country United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.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.

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

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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

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  • 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)

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List of cover stars

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  • November 2008: Angus Young

References

  1. ^ "Standard Certificate of Circulation - Q" (PDF). Audit Bureau of Circulation. 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2008-02-08.

November 2008- Angus Young

External links

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