Kerrang! Seeks Fresh Blood

As the latest ABC circulation figures continue to paint a sorrowful picture for music magazine circulations, rock weekly Kerrang! has announced that it is combining its print, online, TV and radio divisions to launch ‘Fresh Blood’- the UK’s first multi-platform initiative aimed at unearthing new rock bands.

Each platform will aim to seek out and nurture the very best in unsigned and independent label talent from the alternative rock music scene with one chosen act to receive a full showcase and maximum exposure across the network each week.

The Unsigned Show, which airs on Wednesdays on Kerrang! Radio, and Kerrang! Magazine’s Introducing feature will both be rebranded ‘Fresh Blood’ as part of the move.

Both will work in conjunction with Kerrang’s website and Kerrang! TV to cover a featured artist of the week, who will receive further airplay on Johnny Doom’s weekday evening show on Kerrang! Radio.
Kerrang! Editor James McMahon, said: “Our mission has always been to bring the best new music in the world – but now we’re going to use the combined reach of print, radio, online and TV to celebrate the bands that truly deserve it. Fresh Blood is all about one thing: bringing you the bands of tomorrow today”.

In the most recent round of ABCs, NME magazine dropped by almost 19% to below 15,000 weekly across digital and print. This happened despite the publication’s “overall brand reach” increasing to over 3.6 million according to IPC Publishing Director Jo Smalley, as reported here in Media Week.

Kerrang! declined by 12.2% per cent year on year to 33,024, a drop of 6% from the previous period.

Uncut and Q magazine both dropped by just over 8% and Mojo remained the sector’s leader despite dropping 10.9% year on year, with a monthly circulation of 70,667.