Passion pays off for talented ARU student Kyle
Second print run is in the works after first edition of music magazine sells out
A music magazine founded by an Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) student is going from strength to strength, having just launched a sold-out print edition.
Kyle Horne, 19, initially established ADRENALINE magazine online in November 2024, as an outlet for his formidable photography talent.
The second year ARU student began photographing gigs in tiny, 100-capacity venues when he was 17. Thanks to his tenacity and hard work, he soon found himself capturing high-profile concerts by the likes of McFly and Girl in Red, while contributing to independent zines.
Raye at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, photographed by Kyle Horne
After posting online that he was keen to hear from other music enthusiasts who would like to join him on his ADRENALINE adventure, Kyle was deluged with applications from across the country.
Combining reviews with gig photography, ADRENALINE magazine now has a team of over 25 writers, photographers and designers, overseen by Kyle.
In a little over a year, the magazine has covered some of the biggest events in the music calendar, including the Reading and Leeds Festival, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and TRNSMT festival, plus concerts at The O2 and Wembley.
Biffy Clyro at TRNSMT festival, photographed by Kyle Horne
The magazine’s first 72-page print issue featured James Marriott, Only the Poets and Canadian singer Sofia Camara. Its initial print run of 250 copies quickly sold out, so a second edition is now being printed and is available to pre-order. Issue 002 of ADRENALINE will be out in the summer.
Kyle, who is studying Photography at ARU’s Cambridge campus, explained how he went from covering small gigs in his native Scotland to establishing his own magazine in a whirlwind two years.
He said:
“Obviously, as a starter music photographer and an absolute rookie in review writing, I knew I couldn’t apply to Vogue, but I was shocked to find that even the smallest indie magazines, with only 200 followers on Instagram, were covering huge gigs – much bigger than I’d ever photographed before.
“So, I successfully applied to a couple of small publications. I got to photograph McFly, Only the Poets and Girl in Red, at much bigger venues. In fact, at the biggest arena in London – The O2. It was a dream come true.
“So, after I’d built up my confidence, I decided to start a magazine of my own. I decided on a name, and quickly set up an Instagram; posting an open call for anyone interested in joining me on the journey. To my surprise, I received over 50 applications, from people of all backgrounds.”
After posting over 200 online articles in its first year, Kyle’s next aim was to publish a physical version of ADRENALINE magazine – something he believes still has a place in today’s digital world.
Kyle, who is originally from Dunfermline in Fife, added:
“We wanted to explore how we could merge the digital and the physical, as a magazine that started out first in the online world. I think we Gen Z want a break from the online world. It’s therapeutic to sit down and read a magazine, and I think we’re nostalgic of that era.
“I used to get magazines and annuals when I was younger, so now that I’m older and I’ve grown up with the internet, it’s exciting to turn it on its head and consider what a print magazine can exclusively offer, compared to what we offer online.
“Vinyl and CDs are now back ‘in’, because we want to own a part of the music. Our first issue is a way of giving music fans a chance to own and hold a piece of music – to own and hold our music magazine.
“I can safely say I am so excited for the future. I never once imagined I’d be here with a music magazine, while also studying for my degree at ARU. I’m really proud of it, and the work the whole team have put in. I think we’ve shown that passion really does pay off.”