The Pete Burns Exhibition, 'Total Stranger' At Café Tabac Is Extended Until End Of June

CITY OF LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION.

More Of Francesco Mellina’s Work Is On Show With Updated Photography As Part Of 'Total Stranger: The Unseen Photographs of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive 1978–1983'

(Credit: Supplied/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian with permission to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

Cafe Tabac on Bold Street has announced that the exhibition, 'Total Stranger: The Unseen Photographs of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive 1978–1983', has been extended until the 30th of June 2026, at the historic coffeehouse in Liverpool City Centre's Ropewalks neighbourhood.

Francesco Mellina’s exhibition is a rare and powerful collection of black-and-white images which capture the kinetic energy of Liverpool’s late 1970s and 1980s music scene, along with the rise of Pete Burns, the Dead or Alive frontman.

Community Art Events by The Liverpudlian

Community Art Event: Mindful Architecture Colouring & Conversation w/ Peter Eric...

£10.25

12 February 2026, 14:00–15:00Lovelocks Coffee Shop Liverpool

Purchase Tickets

The original Total Stranger exhibition at Café Tabac showcased a curated selection of 16 framed prints from Mellina’s archive of more than 2,000 negatives.

“Tabac has been, and is, a big landmark on the cultural Liverpool landscape.” - Francesco Mellina, Music Photographer.

The renowned rock photographer has now updated the exhibition, with further unseen pictures of Pete Burns on display. In addition, signed copies of Francesco's book, Total Stranger, are available to buy from Cafe Tabac during the extended period.

Available in various sizes

Bella Bird Royal Liver Building Art Print By Peter Eric Lang

Buy artwork

Francesco was a key figure in the City’s music scene and met Pete Burns at the legendary Eric’s club.

They became friends, which led to a series of spontaneous photo shoots documenting Pete’s awe-inspiring presence, leading Dead or Alive, and charting his rise from the Liverpool underground scene to a globally renowned musical and cultural icon.

Pete Burns (Credit: Francesco Mellina).

(Credit: Supplied/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian with permission to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

Music Photographer, Francesco Mellina, said: “I have a personal connection with Cafe Tabac stretching back over 40 years so it gives me enormous pleasure to have my exhibition extended in there.”

He added: “Tabac has been, and is, a big landmark on the cultural Liverpool landscape.”

With Qualified Tour Guide, Peter Eric Lang

Waterfront, City Centre & Beatles Tour

2h

Book your tour

Café Tabac is the beloved Bold Street institution which has served as a meeting place for Liverpool’s creative community since it opened in 1974.

For Francesco, Café Tabac was the perfect venue for this special exhibition, as Inevitable Records' office was on the first floor above the café.

Inevitable Records was the seminal record label founded by Jeremy Lewis from 1979 to 1982, and launched Dead Or Alive, China Crisis, Nightmares in Wax and other post-punk and synth-pop talent, all of which became regulars in Café Tabac.

(Credit: Supplied/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian with permission to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

Back in December 2025, Ma Pub Group acquired the landmark venue. The Group is the independent Liverpool hospitality operator responsible for other beloved venues, including Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery, Tempest on Tithebarn, Nova Scotia and Newington Temple.

The team carry forward the unmistakable character that has secured Tabac’s place as one of Liverpool’s most loved, lived-in and long-standing City Centre fixtures, now proudly continuing to showcase Francesco’s work documenting Pete Burns and the City’s fascinating music history.