It’s been awhile since I did a live review, mainly because I haven’t been to a show in awhile. Things have been quiet when it comes to big national touring acts, though there’s been plenty of local stuff going on. Such is the case this weekend — no big national shows come to mind, but a couple local gigs are worth checking out.

Tonight at The Waiting Room, The Filter Kings headline a show with Loyd McCarter, The Willards Band and 24-Hour Cardlock. Cowboy hats/seed caps are optional. $7, 9 p.m.

Saturday night, singer/songwriter Nick Carl and his band, The Meadowlarks, are headlining a show at The Barley St. Tavern with Harlot and Portland guy Nick Jaina. $5, 9 p.m. While just up the street, Ames/Des Moines band The Envy Corps is playing at The Waiting Room with Broken Spindles and 1/Fourth DJs. They’re calling it the “Carnival Dance Dement” — a dance party with masks and lights and stuff, which may be just enough to keep me from going. $8, 9 p.m.

If you’re in Lincoln, check out Damien Jurado Saturday night at The Bourbon Theater with Manny Coon, Ember Schrag and a few others. $10 today/$12 tomorrow. 9 p.m.

And Sunday night at Lincoln’s Clawfoot House, 1042 F St., Nick Jaina and Bear Country are playing with Ember Schrag and her new band.  Clawfoot is in the heart of its summer season. Schrag said that the house will end its show season in late July or early August and take a few months off. In addition to her new band, Schrag has her hands full with a new job booking shows at Lincoln’s Cultiva Cafe, a just-opened coffee house at 11th & G streets that will feature live free performances nightly from 8 to 10 p.m., with an open mic on Thursdays.