You already asked about using the D5000 for concerts and got lots of good suggestions. As far as tripods and monopods go, most venues don't allow them for safety reasons. I would not recommend them even if they were allowed. Tripods especially limit your movement in crowds. You need faster glass. Go back and re-read your original post on this topic. Or do a search for tripod and monopod discussions that deal with which head and set up to buy
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2063

Faster glass is likely your best remedy (save for, cranking up your ISO). I don't see any reason not to turn on your VR. And, regarding using another type of hard-mounted support, even if your camera is stable on some sort of hard-mount, your subjects will still be moving (of course, VR won't have any effect on motion blur caused by subject movement). When shooting low-light performances, I would simply recommend faster glass and a monopod (monopods are both less obtrusive, and faster to re-position and set-up than a tripod).

With practice, using a monopod allows you to adjust your frame very quickly with spot-on, precision framing. You'd be surprised how stable you can get with a monopod and VR turned on (I was). When I got my first VR lens (an AF 80-400mm f/4-5.6G), I was able to nail a tack-sharp image with VR active, at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th sec., all the way out at 400mm, using just a monopod for support.

Hey guys,

Still working with my D5000 on the quest to get the best photos possible in low light, smaller concert venues. As always, the problem is usually (a) it's low light and (b) no flash used (not only many venues - and performers - frown upon that, but I personally don't like flashing a light on someone's face as they're performing).

Once thing I haven't done much, but just realized maybe I should, is to disable the image stabilization, despite not using Flash. As I've heard, IS can actually hurt the picture if using low light, longer apertures and higher ISO, as it does slow down a little the actual shooting.

Now, in order to get THE great pictures in that scenario, of course, I'd need a tripod, or at least a monopod, I imagine. Which is where my question goes:

From those of you used in shooting in those scenarios, what's your best suggestion for shooting good pictures without, well, bothering others or yourself?

Any suggestion on the best option for tripod/monopod, that is accepted by most venues, doesn't get in the way of other people and, to be honest, doesn't make you look silly for carrying around a tripod with you to a cool music lounge?

I'd thought about those small malleable tripods that sell for a few bucks, and mount them on top of a speaker or something, but I'm not sure if those work that well with a D5000. I'd also thought about those Gorillapods, or even the kind you can mount on your own body. But, then again, not sure if any of those work.

I'd also considered remotes but, then again, it could a nuisance in a public place. And it'd be funny to activate someone else's camera by accident using it... :-)

Anyway, I'm sure there's no magical solution but, since I haven't asked questions on this in a while here, I thought I'd drop by!

Thanks!
Danny.