I'm going to the February show in Chicago (2nd row, very excited), and I'd be interested in taping the show. Minor technical problem: I don't know how. Does anyone know a good, cheap way to do it?

Short answer: NO!

It is never cheap, what starts off as cheap quickly progresses from Moderate to Expensive.

The most budget friendly yet quality way would be:
Mics: Audio Technica 853RX ~$250
Pre-amp: Denecke PS-2 and Denecke AD-20 used $300
Recorder: Creative Labs Jukebox 3. discontinued but refurb models sold by Creative on eBay approx. $165
Total ~$715

The more $ you can put into the Mics, the higher quality recording.
A step or two above the AT853's mics would be AKG 391's. Used ~$400 a pair. (these are what I used for the Pete/Arlo show in Beacon)
Another step above that would be AKG 481's. Used ~$1000 per pair. (Spyder9 used these for his excellent recording of Arlo's Ithaca performance)

And here I use a cheap $30 handheld cassette recorder. I had one from the late 70's I was using but lost it at a Jason Mraz show lol. So I had to break down & get this one. Very primative & I'm sure not as good a quality as what you guys do. But better than nothing lol...

Or you can get friendly with the soundboard operator and plug into the board.

Are soundboard operators IN HOUSE or ARLO'S PERSONAL?

Can someone invent a receiver that can pick up the soundboard signal? Any electrical engineers in here?

Hmmm.....I may try the 30 dollar one. How long are the tapes it uses?

...ditto on Cheryl's method for me....use a $30 Panasonic with a good size mike....usually take two hi quality 90 minute audio tapes....most concerts (of anyone's) take only about 3 sides.... and you do have to watch to turn them over and switch them....but it's not so tricky....also helps to remember that anything you say or sing gets recorded too and experiment with how close to the speakers works best for quality.....

...and you wind up with tapes..... and you may know how or find someone here that knows how and would like to trade who will turn the tapes into cd's....

...for me this started as a fun way to record the music and the memories....but the longer it goes on, the more it becomes being a part of all those who are preserving the music.....you catch a moment that never wll happen exactly that way again....so the more you spread the tapes around....the more recordings there are of what's not being recorded officially...

If taping means not singing, I'd rather just hope that somewhat else tapes it and try my luck, personally. I'd rather enjoy the moment as it happens than preserve it.

My problem is I get so into the show that I sometimes forget to turn the tape over. Or the batteries die on me lol. Also hiding it in a purse doesn't help the sound quality much either. I have hidden my deck in my underwear in order to sneak it into shows where they searched yer purse. When there's a will there's a way lol...

LOL!! Hey Cheryl you just gave me an idea ......I was going to do the same thing but the deck will slip down my pants and next thing someone will be handing me Pepto Bismol .......I will keep it in a safe spot my treasure chest

...well ARR...that's a great philosophy....so try putting the recorder as far away from you as possible....pointing the mic in direction of speakers...or you could preserve your joy in singing along as well as the concert....singalong later to your singalong....yes??

i am a taper . i never knew arlo allowed it. there is no cheap way of doing it. i spent over $4 grand for my new system. my old way still costed me under a grand.
looking for quality? more expensive.
mini discs are cheap, but then mics aren't. all depends on what you do with your recording!
see you in wisconsin iin march!