To the beat of rosewood-and-brass hammers, Xiu Xiu play a makeshift gamelan of metal instruments, including cymbals, bells, triangles, vibraphones, and the occasional whistle.
The pantomimus, dressed like a tragic actor in a cloak and long tunic, usually performed solo, accompanied by an orchestra that included cymbals and other rhythm instruments, flutes, pipes, and trumpets.
Users can "paint a picture with sounds" using more than 80 interactive colors that each have a unique instrument or sound effect assigned to them, including cymbals, bongos and animal noises.
Last year's hypnotic performance at the Barbican included 88 cymbal players, six drummers and eight guitarists.
Like many popular social media apps, Cymbal includes things like a profile bio, home feed, as well as the ability to comment and select hashtags.
"Solo Opakar" and "Chhayam" are essentially instrumental numbers that introduce a large and varied orchestra of instruments that includes horns, flutes, drums, cymbals and wooden clackers.
Some ensembles include both the cymbals and a gong, which is played by a second musician.
The Crossing performed the choral version, which occasionally incorporates some percussion instruments (including chimes, small cymbals, a bass drum) played by members of the choir.
The theatrical bits worked especially well — guitarist Steve Albini and bassist Bob Weston attacked Todd Trainer's cymbals (including one set up high, behind Trainer, like a very ambitious lamp) while Trainer played the set.
The percussion instruments included tablas, bongos, cymbals, piano, xylophones and marimbas; also featured were guitars, flute, and world music instruments.
