A similarity found in most music magazines is that most or a lot contain an artist with blank space behind them, this blank spance is then filled in be information and therefore gets rid of any 'dead space' - Examples:

These are all mid shots. The concept of a person in blank space is also used with close ups - Examples:



In 'Kerrang' magazine a main concept is to have all of the band members on the front and have text on the sides or possibly on a body part of a band member - Examples

This Paramore cover is very smart about both the pose of the band and also the placement of the text as the text doesnt obscure any of their faces and yet still doesnt leave any space left open.

A common feature of guitarist magazine is to have an instrument (and possibly and amp) on the cover. This is expected due to the name - Examples:

This cover shows a Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul and this is what would display what the magazine is about straight away, drawing in the audience.

Another magazine is Top Gear magazine, which is aimed at motor lovers just like music magazines are aimed at musicians and people that like music.



Just like the concept of having a music artist on a music magazine, instead just replacing the artist with a car and/or motor-vehicle of some kind (usually with more cars behind the main feature) - Example:

Due to the fact it is a car magazine that focus's on not just engines and the internal but the aesthetics of cars too, the text is placed to that it isnt covering any of the car, including the title.