Iain Archer for belFEST

Snow Patrol's mate Iain Archer has confirmed a November 21 visit to the Empire Music Hall as part of this year's belFEST knees-up.

The co-author of 'Run', Archer has been making major waves with his own Flood The Tanks album, which spawned a recent BBC Radio 2 'Single In The week' in the shape of 'Summer Jets'.

Other must-see gigs include ex-Commitments woman Bronagh Gallagher (23 @ Auntie Annie's) and Brian Houston (28 @ the Empire Music Hall).

There's also an educational aspect to belFEST with a NIMIC Creative Workshop presided over by Muse and Natasha Bedingfield vocal coach Maureen Scott, and an A&R - What It Takes session which will attempt to explain the inner workings of record companies and their employees.