At a ripe age of AARP membership, I only record if have permission. I have more or less abandoned the stealth means of recording. Stealth was always part of the challenge and fun back in the day, but over the past years (decades +), I find that the challenge is to establish contact with the artists and or band managers months - weeks prior to a show coming to town requesting access to openly record. Permission does not always happen, but I have rarely been turned down, especially when I am able to supply the performer(s) and management with a copy after the performance. Downside, if it really is a downside, at times they may not wish for it to be distributed openly in many the case (LMA or Torrent) or I have been asked to delay sharing due to their commercial release coming up. If they decide to release it, then I get the recording credits of which I have a few under the belt.
There are creative means for which one can present ones self in a better light to gain open access recording. This poses the greater challenge for me at least when comparing it to the old days of smuggling recording gear into a venue. Mellowing with age?
Recently I had contacted Nick Waterhouse on FB and asked for permission to record him in Philly, he gave me the green light. When I had a chance to talk to him in person, Nick's stand out comment to me after the show was: "I love Tapers"! I was the only person recording. I came in and set up as I wanted with no problems from venue staff and was able to supply Nick with a copy, as well as the opening band. Point being is that it made for a better recording than it would have been if I had been is stealth mode and allowed me to also enjoy the show and not look like a stiff all night.
Just my spin on the challenges facing us today in re. to many of the artist's, bands and venues.