Maybe they are recording these shows for internal use, like to polish details of the live show, vocal melodies that not working as well as they initially thought, songs that not moving the crowd or things like these.
Talking with some friends many of us think that this tour is more of a test than a proper tour. To fire up the engines and get the band in perfect shape for the Hard tour next year. If you see the Emily from LA show and the one in NY, there are changes in her way to perform song songs like The catalyst like some of you has already said.
I see this as a warm up, but in a very high level.