At BIMM, we know how important it is to stay in the loop. Whether you’re an artist, producer, future label executive, or you’re just obsessed with discovering new music, keeping an eye on the music press can provide inspiration and insight. While social media might serve up snippets and headlines, it’s the music magazines – print and digital – that offer deep dives to help you understand what’s really going on.
So, here are seven of our favourite music mags – ones that we think you should be reading if you want to stay in sync with this ever-evolving industry:
1. DIY Magazine
If there’s one mag that’s been at the forefront of promoting the UK’s indie scene for the past two decades, it’s DIY. From brand-new bands making their debut EPs to indie icons hitting festival main stages, DIY covers them all.
You’ll find playful interviews, photo-led features, and gig coverage that genuinely feels like it’s written by fans – because it is. Our ongoing partnership with DIY Magazine offers incredible opportunities for students. Spanning a range of events, there are regular chances to perform on stage or work behind the scenes and gain valuable industry experience.
BIMM Manchester’s Mere Amore at DIY Mag Class of 2025 event
2. Music Week
For those who want to understand how the music industry works, Music Week is essential reading. This is the bible for labels, publishers, radio promoters, and anyone who wants to take a look behind the scenes.
It covers chart analysis, business moves, digital trends, and the ever-shifting power dynamics of the global music industry. Less about album reviews, more about release strategies and industry forecasts.
3. Loud and Quiet
For over 15 years, Loud and Quiet has been shining a light on the left-of-centre. Expect interviews with experimental artists, deep dives into subgenres, and smart commentary on music’s cultural value. Reading it feels like a conversation with that mate who always knows the next big thing. Print copies look incredible on your coffee table, too.
4. Offie Mag
Stylishly offbeat and undeniably ahead of the curve, Offie Mag (short for Off Licence Magazine) blends music, photography, journalism, and street-level commentary. With a passion for the UK underground and an encyclopaedic knowledge of music and culture, it’s a brilliant read: fresh, funny, and fiercely independent.
Offie Mag was co-founded by BIMM Brighton Event Management graduate Matt Leppier. Offie Mag regularly hosts grassroots events such as last year’s Long Hot Summer series, which was funded by Arts Council England.
5. Crack Magazine
Crack Magazine isn’t just a music magazine – it’s a full-on cultural statement. Born in Bristol and now read worldwide, Crack delivers boundary-pushing editorial with a sleek visual identity to match. Expect long-form interviews with the most exciting names in contemporary music spanning a wide range of genres, alongside sharp photography and design.
Tom Frost, Co-Founder of Crack Magazine, has been lecturing at BIMM for several years. He also mentored the students who created our successful student-run magazine, Resonate.
6. So Young Magazine
So Young is like flicking through your favourite gig poster – bold, brash, and buzzing with energy. With hand-drawn artwork and a rough-and-ready design style, it captures the raw excitement of discovering a band in a sweaty basement before they blow up. The magazine champions emerging artists and has a visual identity that makes it a collectable in its own right.
7. The Quietus
The Quietus is for people who listen deeply. It’s unapologetically intellectual, with essays and opinion pieces that treat music as art, history, and revolution all at once. Their taste is eclectic, diving into avant-garde, post-punk, metal, electronic music, and everything in between. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the philosophy behind an album, The Quietus is the way to go.
Our strong partnerships with some of these magazines give our students unrivalled opportunities to write about music, perform at events, and even manage their own magazines. And if you’re interested in the marketing and business side of things, check out our courses for information on what you can study at BIMM.
Got a favourite music mag we missed?
Let us know on socials! We’re always keen to hear what you’re reading.
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