Off-Camera Flash at concerts

Do many people use OCF at concerts? I'm talking about the lower budget venues that have lousy lighting. It drives me nuts when the venue thinks it's cool to have green lights on the artist all night, and I don't always want to convert everything to b&w. I'll set up a lightstand at sidestage or use a clamp... always after getting the soundguy's approval of course. Here's a couple examples where, without my flash, the artists would be purple or blue.

Just curious if others do this, and if they can share any tips.

At the venues I've been shooting at (seating around 50-150) I don't remember anyone ever using flash (on or off camera). Bad lighting the way you describe it, yes I've experienced it too, tough luck, but still for me flash at a concert is a no go. Maybe it's different at wild party-style performances.

I've never been to a show or venue that allows flash, and even if they did I wouldn't use one. They're both rude and disruptive and counter to the purpose.

I should add that I'm doing this at paid gigs. The band wants me there. I'm not just showing up at random clubs with a lightstand under my arm.

I agree that throwing flash at an unsuspecting artist is not cool.

I think BJWOK has posted up about using a small amount of flash set up hidden on stage, to fill the artist face. You might search for it or PM him. It was a surprisingly nice explanation, just can't recall where it is. But I think it was on here, as i don't do much on Blogs. He tours with bands hired by them for weeks on end.

I used to use flash at a monthly Saturday Night concert by regional bands at a local church. We're friends with everyone there and have known the couple that runs this event for nearly a lifetime. I used to set up lights and rely on flash, worked great, even though a distraction. Super sharp images! Most of these bands are excellent musicians, but have nothing more than smartphone pics on their websites. Some bands really wanted the colors though, so I eventually switched to higher ISO, and sold my (2) 40D's for (2) 7D's.

My last shoot had LED lighting, all Red pointed at the female singers body instead of her face. Horrific to work with but surprisingly nice dramatic images in the end. Feel free to look at my Flickr to see what I've done. The first album is of "Signals"; concert held at a local bar.

I think it's a great idea and I'm going to see if I can get something worked out at a small venue I shoot at regularly. I'm thinking I can hide them behind the speakers with clamps and face they 45 degrees up but facing towards the band with a bounce reflector on each. The crowd probably won't even see them or the flash. Dial them down to -2 to -3 stops so they fill in shadows and provide some color but don't distract the band members. This is a venue that hold up to 300 people but usually it's 50-150 so it's a very friendly atmosphere.

This is one of those venues that doesn't have much lighting. They have a couple LED's that they turn on either in Blue, Green or Red and just leave them all the same for the whole show. I'm thinking the band members would care and will probably be all for it if they can use any of the photo's they'll be elated.