''The Mag'', known as ''Phonotonal'' since 2019, is an independent and alternative music magazine in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
which has been published online since 2003. Contributions in the form of reviews and music articles were made by aspiring music journalists, photographers and enthusiasts such as Steve Fenton, Pete Habert, Stuart Smith and Mark Holloway.
''The Mag'' gained exposure in 2006 when the magazine's website became the largest of its kind (source
Alexa Internet
Alexa Internet, Inc. was a web traffic analysis company based in San Francisco, California. It was founded as an independent company by Brewster Kahle and Bruce Gilliat in 1996. Alexa provided web traffic data, global rankings, and other info ...
- Independent and Alternative Music) and it reached its peak in 2007, hosting an awards show that gained recognition from the
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
, as well as radio stations
Original 106 (Solent) and Southern Counties Radio.
History
The magazine's first edition was published as an 8-page local music guide in Salisbury, Wiltshire. However, due to distribution issues, the physical edition was replaced with a website on 9 July 2003.
In December 2006, The Mag were the first to report on the
Delays new record deal with
Fiction Records
Fiction Records is a British record label founded by Chris Parry in 1978, owned by Universal Music Group and based in the United Kingdom. It is best known for being the home of the Cure for over 20 years. It was originally a part of Polydor, ...
as they were present backstage at Southampton Guildhall to interview lead singer Greg Gilbert when the deal was signed.
In 2007, www.the-mag.me.uk were awarded the runners-up prize in the category 'Best Interactive Website' at the HantsWeb awards run by
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council (HCC) is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Hampshire in England. The council was created in 1889. The county council provides county-level services to eleven of the thirteen districts geo ...
.
In 2019, The Mag was re-branded with the new name Phonotonal.
The Mag Awards
The Mag Awards is an annual award show voted for by readers of the magazine, from a list of all bands featured in the preceding year.
The Mag Awards 2008 winners were announced on Saturday 19 July at a live show in Southampton, presented by radio station,
Original 106 (Solent).
The Mag Awards Winners
2008:
2007:
References
External links
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Online music magazines published in the United Kingdom
Magazines established in 2003
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