Sound and Vision: Music and Fashion photographed by Francesco Mellina, Liverpool, 1978-82 showcases 60 photographs – most of them previously unseen.

The exhibition reveals a unique visual record of the city’s music and fashion scene, capturing the striking individuality and self-expression of gig-goers and acts in this pivotal era from New Wave to the New Romantics and Rockabillies.
Featuring iconic Liverpool bands and artists such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, Pete Wylie, and Pete Burns, Mellina’s photographs document key gigs and music venues of the time, along with many more names who went on to achieve worldwide status including Roxy Music, The Clash and The Ramones as well as artists such as Mick Hucknall and U2 who were opening support acts at the time.

As well as being a photographer, Mellina also managed Liverpool band Nightmares in Wax, who later became Dead or Alive. This established him on the music scene and uniquely positioned him to intimately capture bands and fans alike through his pictures.
The exhibition offers a unique visual record of the edgy fashion and music trends that were created, nurtured and encouraged in Liverpool during the late 70s and early 80s. Pauline Rushton, the exhibition curator, says: “Liverpool’s difficult times bred creativity in both music and fashion while the city was in the grip of economic decline. Teenagers’ antidote to life on the dole and low wages was to embrace music and fashion, seeing it as a means to express themselves.”

Followers of the emerging music scenes had their own look and fashion sense. Their distinctive outfits could not be bought ready-made, so were carefully put together and developed to produce individual looks.
Mellina captures these distinctive styles and creations giving fascinating glimpses and rare insights into a time that many still try to imitate but can never truly replicate.

The exhibiton opens on Friday, & runs until 31st August at The national conservation centre, Liverpool, with free entrance. For futher details visit: Liverpoolmuseums.org.uk