Music Mag Becomes Free State

Six months after launching in the Irish market, State Magazine has decided to drop its cover price and become a free sheet.

A note on its Web site explains why there’s been no September issue and details the publication’s future plans.

“The music magazine world is heading the same way as the rest of the industry – the audience are able to get their fix wherever and whenever they please and usually for nothing,” the note says.

The staff has “given the old place a lick of paint” and will be taking a month to “continue rearranging the furniture,” then State will return as a free magazine that can be picked up in venues, bars, cafes and shops.

It’s published by Roger Woolman and edited by former Hot Press staffers John Walshe and Phil Udell.

Last month ABC figures for music publications showed that Uncut and The Fly, which is also free, are the only magazines upping their circulations.

Sales of dedicated rock monthly Kerrang! have dropped by a third, NME’s fell 17.4 percent, Q has lost 13.1 percent, and Mojo, The Word and Rock Sound are between 3 and 5 percent down.