Traditional solution is a camera corral – if you want to take photos, you have to be within this box where you’re only having to negotiate line-of-sight with other photographers (and you’re encouraged to actually negotiate, and take turns or layer yourselves or otherwise work things out politely).
That goes along with the performers who are willing to allow bootleg recording of live shows, up to and including a feed off the board if the sound tech is willing to provide one, or an 8’ tall tripod carrying a stereo pair if it can be placed where it doesn’t annoy other audience members. Again, a big “if” on those, and of course it’s performer’s choice what they do or don’t want to permit (with some input from the venue).
Personally, I’d prefer not to be dealing with a camera while trying to listen to a performance. But I am willing to consider dealing with the sound board while listening, even though that’s sometimes two very different kinds of listening that I’m trying to perform simultaneously… so this may be a matter of what kinds of multitasking you’ve trained yourself for and what you’re willing to trade off.
