IT was always going to be an emotional night.

One year and one week ago, to the day of Monday night’s gig, The Overtones graced stage of The Bridgewater Hall as a five-piece.

No-one could have imagined that when they returned, their annual gig of cheesy festive fun and merriment would be tinged with sadness after the tragic death of member Timmy Matley at the age of just 36 in a drug-related accident.

Last December, Timmy had stood on the same stage and thanked fans for their unwavering support after he was forced to take time out from the band when diagnosed with skin cancer.

This time, it was his brave bandmates thanking loyal fans for helping them through the difficult months since Timmy’s death in April.

Paying tribute to the ‘beautiful Irish angel’, the show was the perfect mix of songs to honour Timmy.

It kicked off with a glorious version of Womack and Womack’s Teardrops – “And the music don't feel like it did when I felt it with you”.

It doesn’t take long for the audience to get on its feet at an Overtones gig and everyone was up by song two - The Real Thing’s You To Me Are Everything.

Since bursting onto the music scene in 2010 with debut album Good Ol’ Fashioned Love, the group has sold more than a million records comprising covers and some original tracks performed in their silky-smooth style.

Lachie Chapman, Mark Franks, Mike Crawshaw and Darren Everest entertained the crowd with iconic pop songs from their new self-titled album, all carefully chosen for their first release as a four-piece.

There were lovely versions of I Say a Little Prayer, You to Me Are Everything and Spice Girls song Goodbye.

The band’s performance of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, the last song the band recorded as a five-piece, brought tears to the eyes of dedicated fans.

And, of course, there were festive songs galore including Let It Snow and the ever-lovely Driving Home for Christmas which shows off Lachie’s vocals to perfection.

An encore of Love Is In the Air brought the show to an end – a perfect mix of fun and a heartfelt tribute to Timmy.