Well, it always was going to be a bit special, wasn't it? It couldn't help but be... but, it was going to take something a bit special to make it happen...

The something special was the reunion, for the first time in 17 years, of the McManus brothers, Pat and John, under the name of the band that brought them to the verge of global superstardom in the late 1980s. Following the untimely death of their younger brother, Tommy, who finally lost his almost lifelong battle against leukaemia away back in 1994, the two surviving members of Mama's Boys put their beloved band into permanent frozen storage, never to see the light of day again. But, then, as has been said by so many more people more eloquent than myself... never say never.

After years of rumours and false starts, it was going to take something really special for the ice to be broken - and, eventually, that special moment came along... and where better for it to happen than on their beloved home soil and in front of a Belfast audience eager with anticipation to see if the internet rumours finally were true.

The occasion was a charity night organised in memory of young Tommy - and also another of Northern Ireland's fallen heroes, former Sweet Savage guitarist Trevor Fleming, who lost his own battle against cancer almost exactly a year ago. And some 500-plus of the Mama's Boys faithful were there to turn back the clock and pay their tribute.

The unenviable task of opening the night's proceedings falls to Stevie K, who nevertheless kicked off in the spirit of his occasional nom-de-plume, Roxs, with his spiritually uplifting acoustic-led rock 'n' roll. Stevie is a genuinely nice fella, and was a great choice to open this bill, as he is a Christian singer who doesn't preach but reflects his spirituality in every word and note, as evinced by his dedication of songs to his mum and dad, both of whom he also lost recently.

Sleazers Million Dollar Reload - one of the hits of this year's Download, and about to release their second, already acclaimed album on the unsuspecting rock 'n' roll über-verse (don't say we didn't warn you) - turn things up several notches, with a blinding, energy-filled set. By the second song, the anthemic 'Tattoos and Dirty Girls', the room is already soaked in sweat, and the likes of 'I Am The Rapture' display what a killer album their new opus is gonna be.

Prefacing their set with a video of home footage of the man affectionately known as 'Big Trev', Sweet Savage simply slay with their opening triumvirate of 'Warbird', 'Powder Monkey' and 'Regenerator'. Tonight is about reminiscence and so frontman Ray Haller introduces the first of tonight's special guests, original drummer Davy Bates, who takes his rightful place behind the kit for the classic 'Take No Prisoners':  despite the song being a quarter of a century old (it was a double A side with another song, which was subsequently picked up by a certain band from San Francisco), the Savages are having REAL fun, and show that they are not just living on past glories but are still highly relevant.

Guest vocalist Eddie Currie delivers a frankly, erm, vengeful version of 'Vengeance', before Simon McBride steps forward to take over lead guitar duties for 'Eye Of The Storm'. Then it's a still raucous version of "the song Metallica DID do" - 'Killing Time' and a bluesy rendition of traditional set closer 'Whiskey In The Jar'.

The expectation levels are slowly rising among the capacity crowd when The Pat McManus Band takes the stage, and the guitarist is smiling from ear to ear (well, he does know what's coming, right?) as he ploughs into solo staples like the immense 'Juggernaut', on which he makes his complex folk-influenced blues-rock look oh so simple, and the beautiful acoustic 'Return Of The G Man', dedicated to the late Rory Gallagher.

The lyrics of 'Belfast City Blues' may be somewhat dated, but it is still a hugely sentimental song - especially, as, just at the start of the second verse, the moment comes... On saunters John McManus, resplendent in black, with his trademark shades, looking relaxed, smiling and is if it hasn't been 17 years... but, there's one tiny detail missing.

Ah yes, his bass. But, that's soon rectified and the reunited brothers launch into a sublime 'Gentlemen Rogues', a raucous rendition of 'Runaway Dreams', complete with ecstatic violin solo, and a stunning 'Straight Forward', which has the audience singing along loud enough to raise the roof on their own and as if we've been doing this every night for the past two decades.

Of course, everyone in the room has noticed the second drum kit sitting on the stage, unused all night, with many wondering if it was there as a silent tribute to Tommy. But no, it is serving a purpose and out from the wings steps Stephen Strange, rock agent and promoter extraordinaire, long-time friend of the brothers, one of the prime movers behind tonight's events - and a bloody good drummer in his own right (he used to occupy the stool with Belfast's ill-fated No Hot Ashes). The needle is most definitely in the groove for his contribution, which brings the house down and leaves the now rabid crowd screaming, louder than ever, for MORE!  And more they get, as Sweet Savage, Simon McBride et al return to the stage to join the Boys for the most rousing finale possible - the loudest version you're ever likely to hear of 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now', the Slade classic the band originally didn't want to record but quickly made their own and a staple of their set.

All too soon, it's over. A special night, with special people, for a special reason. We'd love to do it all again soon - and there are those arguing for a more 'permanent' Mama's Boys reunion - but, if you ask this humble scribe's opinion, nights like this need to remain special, nights to remember, nights to cherish...