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HOMECOMING: Joel Thibodeau and Death Vessel will be at the Living Room on September 23.

Now that the shock of the first few days of class has subsided and the idea that summer has come to a close has set in, it’s time to start thinking about what there is to look forward to this fall. Music is abundant and there are a slew of old standbys and up-and-comers headed our way. Here are some of the highlights.

Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel (401.331.5876, lupos.com) continues to be the place to see not-so-small and medium-sized national acts. This season brings some great attractions to Rich’s place, from THE MARS VOLTA (September 15) and TV ON THE RADIO (October 11) to “Love Song” singer SARA BAREILLES, who will be joined by Marc Broussard on November 6. But our best bet goes to IRON & WINE. The bearded Texan will bring his quizzical acoustic melodies to Lupo’s on November 16.

Living Room
You should head to the Living Room (401.521.5200, myspace.com/livingroomri) on September 23. Joel Thibodeau, formerly of the local band Stringbuilder, returns to Providence with a newish crew and a relatively new record deal from Sub Pop. His band, DEATH VESSEL, is eerie and evocative with roots in the British folk movement. Micah Blue Smaldone and the Wrong Reasons’ Joe Fletcher support. Also for indie heads is THE NEW YEAR, formed by ex-Bedheaders Matt and Bubba Kadane, who will hit the Room with Brooklyn shoegazers Dirty On Purpose on October 12.

Jerky’s
The resurgence of Jerky’s (401.621.2244, myspace.com/jerkysbar) and companion space Club Hell has added vitality, plus a couple of additional worthwhile destinations, to the Providence scene. Their booking philosophy is wide open and they offer many intriguing nights, one of which is a show by Ninjatune artist DIPLO (September 13), a Philly-based DJ and producer with a nose for mash-ups and more aliases/alter egos than the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list.

Club Hell
Local and national acts share bills at Club Hell (myspace.com/clubhelllive), one of the city’s newest stages. UK indie rock sensations THE WOMBATS hit it on September 9. On September 26, SOMEDAY PROVIDENCE throws its 100th show in the capital city — quite the impressive number—with STEALING JANE, THE EAVESDROPS, and SATURDAY AT NINE. Another bright night is October 10, when strident folk rocker LIAM FINN dazzles unsuspecting audiences with the help of THE VEILS, a quartet from New Zealand by way of London.

Stone Soup Coffeehouse
Stone Soup Coffeehouse (401.921.5115 or stonesoupcoffeehouse.com) opens its 28th season at the Pawtucket Arts Festival in Slater Park on September 13 before setting up at St. Paul’s Church. This year, methinks acoustic alchemists will be circling November 15, when folk fave CHRISTINE LAVIN will be headlining, with local literary heroine ANN HOOD reading from her work before Lavin’s set. Visit the Soup’s website to uncover the other jewels on this year’s roster.