Since I spent 3 years deaf and contact-buzzed from shooting the big shows, I'll add my 2 cents.
As close as you can, 45˚ to the stage (if you HAVE to chose between straight on and 90˚, go for the 90), shoot manual, use the slowest film you can get away with.
Took me 2 years to figure this one out, and it's worth it's weight in something: if it's a big show with a lot of bass and drums, learn to shoot between the beats. Sounds silly, but you'd be surprised how much air pressure there is on those speaker enclosures, and how badly it'll screw up mirrors, shutters and the film itself.
And wear earplugs. I didn't hear a word of my senior year because I was shooting 4 or 5 shows a week.
jack
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