2015 Taping Policy?

I plan to tape the Austin show.
Ideally, if audio taping is allowed, I’ll mount my Church Audio CA-14 Omni mics + windscreens on a baseball hat and capture the show with my PCM-M10.
I am hoping the band makes a statement that clarifies their (open) audio recording policy, so I can relax and enjoy the gig while capturing it.

steecoe: I could not have been more open about my video recording in Chicago & no one gave a rats ass. I was on the aisle near an usher station and I was very blatantly recording video. No hassles from security, just drunks aplenty in front of me.

I recorded some video at Red Rocks with my point-n-shoot, but while doing so, motioned with my index finger on the controls of the camera like I was zooming in and out and snapping still shots, even though none of that was really happening. Dunno if security was watching that close, but I felt like I was throwing them off track, even though I probably wasn’t.

They seem to be much more strict about recording this tour. There were signs all over outside Red Rocks saying, “NO Video recording. NO audio recording! Point and shoot cameras only!”

sickman: My guess is that in most cases they couldn’t care less if your are video taping with your point and shoot, but audio recording would not be allowed.A lot of bands, Van Halen included, audio record their shows, some for release others for record and probably don’t want another recording out there.It was stated that VH recorded all of the 2012 tour.I wish they would make those recordings available.I know Metallica has done it and so has Disturbed.It seems like it would be a great money maker for the bands to offer a download of tonight’s show using a code found on your ticket, or something along those lines.

Multiple people have reported that even with cellphones and point and shoot cameras, they were shut down. It’s most likely going to be a combination of your location and the temperament of the nearest security detail that will determine whether or not you get shoot the whole show, unlike 2012, where everyone was free to shoot without any hassles.

I”m also wondering about the policy for the Phoenix show. We now have a pretty good DSLR camera which would do a great job of filming the band if allowed. I’ve always had good luck getting my audio rig into shows. But Monday night at US Airways Center for Rush, it was very touchy. For the first time in over 20 years of going to this venue, they had metal detectors for everybody to pass through. I set off the beeper, and they scanned me with a handheld wand. In my two past experiences with wands, they were not set to very sensitive, and so my rig didn’t set them off. Monday night, the wand went off. I shrugged like I didn’t know WTF was going on, and the wand kept beeping, and finally the guard asked if I had a metal hip. It was like the cucumber scene from Spinal Tap. I nodded sheepishly, and she let me through. I was really starting to sweat, because they’d already scanned my ticket. I got a nice recording of the show, but that was too close for comfort.

I haven’t been out to the Pavilion (where VH is playing) in years, so I don’t know how security works there these days. But it would be great if we could get some kind of official confirmation from VH management.

I’ll be at the Phoenix show at Ak Chin Pavilion, and will try to get audio. The Ticketbastard site says no cameras or recorders. I haven’t been to this venue in years, can anyone tell my about the security these days? Looks like it’s an outfit called TEAM Security. Do they use metal detectors or wands? I’m a little spooked after the almost having my rig found at the Rush show a few weeks ago, and would like to get this done right. If there are metal detectors, I assume the only way to get a recorder through is to bury it in a bag. If my wife was coming along, that would be easy–pile some tampons on top or whatever. But it’s just me and a buddy, so now it’s looking like I’ve got to use some sort of shoulder man-bag.

PhxHorn: I’ll be at the Phoenix show at Ak Chin Pavilion, and will try to get audio.The Ticketbastard site says no cameras or recorders.I haven’t been to this venue in years, can anyone tell my about the security these days?Looks like it’s an outfit called TEAM Security.Do they use metal detectors or wands?I’m a little spooked after the almost having my rig found at the Rush show a few weeks ago, and would like to get this done right.If there are metal detectors, I assume the only way to get a recorder through is to bury it in a bag.If my wife was coming along, that would be easy–pile some tampons on top or whatever.But it’s just me and a buddy, so now it’s looking like I’ve got to use some sort of shoulder man-bag.

I will be there too, planning to videotape the show, assuming no issues getting the cam in the venue. I have a 7th row ticket, was going to try & get closer to have a better viewpoint to film from, but I might be better off being a little farther from the stage. I figure less chance of security giving me a hard time if I am blending in with my row. Kind of surprised to hear some people up front being told no videotaping recently.

A master taper who I’ve known for years and who has taped VH several times in the 1990s suggested that I move to the back of the Austin360 amphitheater (SEC 107) in order to get a good capture of the 9/21 show. His concern is that since I’ll be on Wolf’s side of the floor, 4 rows back, WVH’s bass frequencies will overload my recorder. How dominant is Wolfgang’s bass in the live mix these days? I’m not thrilled about potentially giving up my fourth row seat in order to get a good capture. However, I’m taking my friend’s advice into serious consideration.

Austin seating chart: http://www.ticketmaster.com/van-halen-austin-texas-09-21-2015/event/3A004D92367361F9?tm_link=edp_onsale

Feedback from the veteran tapers of the group would be appreciated.

Thank You!