Off the FAQ's on the Sonic Entertainment website:
"Am I allowed to bring photographic equipment to events?
The majority of our shows have a strict no photography policy. It’s suggested that cameras be left at home; if brought to the venue they can be confiscated by the event staff."
'The majority of our shows' and 'it is suggested' are not the same as 'no'. It can be inferred then that at least one of the groups they represent (like Great Big Sea) do allow it. I don't imagine that they would bother to have differently worded contracts set up for GBS. This way they can also cover themselves should someone decide to set up shop and begin selling all their concert pics.
As far as I know, the band has no problem with cameras at shows and often play with fan cameras on stage (that doesn't mean their management doesn't, they may grunt and groan about it but probably bow to the wishes of their clients). When you are told no at a GBS concert it is because the venue has said no. Probably because they don't want to take any chances of getting themselves into trouble. As mentioned, some venues that say no in writing (just like GBS contracts) can also be persuaded to change their minds when told that the band allows it.
I went to the Hyannis and Cohassett shows this summer. They are sister theatres that are run in, more or less, the same way. I saw on their sites that cameras were not allowed. I e-mailed one of them that the band allowed and was told, if that turned out to be the case cameras would be permitted.
In Hyannis my high-end point and shoot was refused because it resembled a DSLR (too much of a stretch of the rules). I returned it to my car and came back with a regular digital and was allowed in with it. They did tell me to stop when they saw me using it in video mode though. In Cohassett the next night, my expensive camera was allowed in with no problems and no one said anything about shooting videos, if they noticed.
In the end, it does not matter what the band allows or even what is written in their contracts, it is the venue (and the person in charge of security that night) that has the final say. They could remove that clause from their contracts and it wouldn't change the rules at the venue.
In my opinion, advances in technology since the 70's and 80's have made it an outdated rule. It is ridiculous to remove a camera from someone at a concert when cell phones aren't checked at the door and high end cell phones take nice photos. Very few fans will refuse to buy concert DVD's simply because they have video that they took themselves at concerts either. And Mike's right, what better way to gain new fans for the band than to post videos you've taken onto you facebook page?
"I see you in the front row, bouncing up and down, you're ripped and ready for a night downtown." ~ Margarita
What's wrong with a little flirtation?
Monster Tee 