The big arenas are pretty quiet this season. The Dunkin’ Donuts Center, in Providence, is still under construction and has no concerts until the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Nov. 20. The Providence Performing Arts Center has the Celtic singer Loreena McKennitt on Oct. 20, the Beatles tribute band Rain on Nov. 3, and the return of Zappa Plays Zappa (that’s Dweezil playing father Frank’s songs) on Nov. 4. That means the biggest arena show is Bob Dylan and His Band, with an opening set by a young acoustic singer-songwriter that you may have heard of, named Elvis Costello, at the Ryan Center Sept. 29.

That leaves the field open for the coffeehouses and clubs, and they step up, as they do most every fall.

Lupo’s has metal with Megadeth on Sept. 28 and Cannibal Corpse on Oct. 6, loud rock with Queens of the Stone Age on Oct. 9 and Avenged Sevenfold on Nov.12, hip rock with Bloc Party on Oct. 2, the political jam-rock of State Radio on Oct. 3, and hot singer-songwriter Bright Eyes on Nov. 17.

Highlights of the Blackstone River Theatre’s schedule includes the Scottish triad of North Sea Gas on Sept. 30, the local Appalachian gospel group Jerimoth Hill on Oct. 27, and, on Nov. 2 and 3, The Highwaymen, who will be celebrating the release of the live CD they recorded at the BRT last year. Neat!

Looking to Massachusetts:

The Narrows Center for the Arts, in Fall River, a jewel of a venue, brings some of the best songwriters and traditionalists around, um, around. They roll on with such favorites as the veteran Mekons on Oct. 4, songwriter Karla Bonoff on Oct. 12, the Cajun valedictorians Beausoleil on Oct. 19 and Plimsouls singer and songwriter Peter Case on Oct. 20. And the Zeiterion Theatre, in New Bedford, has a full bill, highlighted by Emmylou Harris on Oct. 20.

Odds and ends:

The excellent bayou guitar rocker Tab Benoit comes to Chan’s, in Woonsocket, on Sept. 27. And the Stone Soup Coffeehouse, in Pawtucket, celebrates its 27th season with a schedule that includes singer-songwriter icons Ellis Paul on Oct. 27 and Bill Staines on Nov. 17. The venue’s no-frills atmosphere and volunteer ethos remind you what it’s all about.

Have fun out there!

Fall Guide: Pop Music, Sept. 20-Nov. 22

rmassimo@projo.com