Live recordings are done for a variety of reasons, but the main one is to generate exposure for the performers by showcasing their abilities to entertain and excite an audience, which is not something that can be achieved in a sterile studio environment.
Venues are not that interested in what you can achieve in a studio – with the rise and affordability of digital audio workstations and their ability to make even the worst musicians sound better, studio recordings are no longer a good example of the raw musical talent of the performer. Promoters and managers need to know that you can perform live to a high standard, keep the audience interested and make their event a success. They hire acts to fill venues and make money; it is a business to them and hiring the wrong act can have a devastating effect on their careers.
