I've never had a problem either and you really don't have to smuggle it. I just tuck mine in my pocket. Most of these small venues really don't seem to mind at least the two that I went to on the first two legs of his tour didn't. They didn't ask about a camera or search me. I was in the front row both times taking pictures through-out sometimes at the stage and no one else was there but me and no one said a word
At a major venue here in L.A. security at a recent Rod Stewart show really did an intense search but I managed to smuggle one past them anyway. When I kept setting of the security wand, they asked me to empty my pockets. Uh oh-right? Wrong. I just started dropping things all over the floor. Coins, batteries (said they were for my flash light instead of my hidden camera) which I did have. Long story short security eventually waved me through as it was almost show time and there were still a lot of people behind me trying to get in. Sometimes it pays to play dumb. Never be confrontational it makes security nuts.
As suggested above keep the flash off you really don't need it. It attracts attention and can bother some artists especially if you are at the stage and the venue is dark. You will still get awesome pictures if you are close enough-I did. I also recorded video without a problem including a six minute clip of "Go Your Own Way" right in front of Lindsey and security didn't even come near me.
Have fun!
CarolC
