The revitalisation in rock mags' fortunes is being boosted by continuing interest in retro rock, exemplified by gains for Mojo and Classic Rock of 7.8% and 19% respectively, year on year.
Emap Metro is the publisher of Q, Mojo, and Kerrang! magazines, all of which reported period-on-period and year-on-year increases.
"The digital revolution has renewed people's interest in music," said Emap Metro managing director Marcus Rich.
The biggest growth was for hard-rock title Kerrang! which is not in the top five, but posted an increase of 23.2% year on year. Q magazine was the top-selling music title, with sales up 3.7% year on year.
"There is a correlation with the demise of Smash Hits! and the growth of Kerrang!," said Rich.
"Pop is now very pre-teen. Music television, computing and the phenomenon of kids getting older quicker means people are accessing rock music earlier."
The Emap Metro boss added that Kerrang! is now the Emap title which is most developed in terms of mix of revenue streams. As well as the magazine, there is now analogue and digital Kerrang! radio, a website, music television and a CD compilation.
IPC Media's New Musical Express notched up an increase of 9.7% year on year. Publishing director Eric Fuller said that, as well as the interest in rock music, live events and an award-winning editor had helped boost sales.
"When live music thrives, NME thrives as well. We had a really good festival season," he said.
The NME Chart Show on MTV and the magazine's website (nme.com) also helped promote the brand, according to Fuller.
"The NME is a brand that is getting bigger than the magazine. We have the biggest commercial music website by some margin," he claimed.
The NME brand will be further promoted this week at the NME Awards. Fuller also said investment had been made at retail level to increase the availability of the magazine.
IPC Ignite! managing director Tim Brooks said music monthly Uncut was the only magazine in his portfolio of music and men's titles that had decreased year on year.
He added that the title will have a "new look in April that will see it resume its upward trend".
The more niche music titles also performed well, with Future's Metal Hammer posting a 15% increase in sales year on year.
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