I am doing the same thing.
lip syncing, stealth clapping.
1) it shows your appreciation for the music
2) it distracts security
I am always stealth taping and this year during one show some chick clapped me on the back and shouted: You rock!
Hehe, that was very funny. I think she is on the recording. Normally I would find it annoying, but she said it to me so it brings back memories of that show.
I record shows because I WANT to be able to listen to them again and again.
It's funny to hear the singer's comments.
This year I've recorded 3 shows from the first row and my BEST recording for this tour came from a 1st row recording.
You can even hear off mic comments and that is really funny. Or hammering under the stage and then the performer talks about it. And the great thing is you can hear it all on the recording.
I get a kick out of the fact that after the show the first time you listen to the recording and hearing how good it is and then checking all of the songs.
After that distributing of the recording and getting a kick out of the reaction of other people when you can see they like hearing it again as well.
Shared joy is double joy!
So far I've got a recording of nearly every show I've seen in my life. Only missing one.
OK ~ how to add a little enjoyment to the recording experience... lip synch the music. Yes - I said LIP SYNCH. Sing your lungs out. Flap your gums. Belt 'em out like the drunks in the front row.
I've been doing this right from the start and assumed everybody else did it too.
My wife & I are also great at "stealth-clapping"