I suspected they wouldn't be any money in it, I didn't want to commit to it as a job - I just wanted to do it for the enjoyment of it.
If it's just for the enjoyment, just turn up, early to a local gig. Speak to the organiser and say if the band or the club would like some pics taken.. They never say no, in my experience. Plus if the band know you're taking pics for THEM, they'll more than likely pose, whilst playing. Also, offer up some before gig pics of them.
this will be a hobby.
If you want to get on well with a band try to get a couple of good shots of the keyboard player and drummer, as well as the ones up front with the guitars, mikes and whatever. It's usually harder to get a good shot of a drummer due to the clutter of the drum kit in front of them, and to an extent that's often true of the keyboard player too, especially if they have a mike in front of them. As a generalisation (which is always dangerous!), these band members don't tend to have as many 'live action' type photos taken of themselves, so are usually quite pleased if you manage to get a good shot or two to give them!
Not getting in the way of the paying punters is an important consideration, especially at a small gig where the stage is low. It's like anything in life really, courtesy and consideration usually goes a long way. I always avoided using flash whenever possible, predominantly as I felt it took the atmosphere out of the shots, but also so as not to annoy the artists (some gigs and/or artists would specify no flash too). These days I imagine that's less of a problem with the high ISO range available on digi SLRs? Oh, the other thing to watch for is getting your equipment stolen. Back in the 90's a photographer I knew was followed after a gig in Manchester and mugged for all his camera kit when he stopped at a petrol station on his way home! So perhaps best not to take an expensive-looking bag full of kit with you, just take what you really need and keep a low profile.
I do loads of this kind of stuff. The camera and lenses you have sound fine (as long as there's no shutter lag), any specific questions shout up.
Here's my most recent set https://www.facebook.com/graham.whi...37689.1073742002.657902688&type=3&pnref=story
Loads more on my Flickr link.
Oh yes. (It's the law. )Nice! Do you just rely on house lighting?
Back in the 70's and 80's I used to shoot a lot of bands at a large local venue using film, 2 x OM1's and HP5 uprated to iso 1600. Shot a lot of new wave and punk bands, and some folk and rock. I used available light and flash. Later the bands management would restrict the use of photography.
Now I shoot a few bands at a small local theatre, and sometimes away from the local area just for fun. I'll position myself up against the PA speakers, often shooting from just behind them across the stage, or sitting on the bottom of steps between the seating facing the front, not obstructing anyones view, that is essential. When at venues I visit in Oxford and Bristol I can shoot from the side of the stage. Lighting is usually challenging, often using iso 6400 with varying shutter speeds, hit rates can vary. I don't like LED stage lighting. I never use flash.
Some of what I shoot is here https://www.flickr.com/photos/sbell/albums/72157610367734993