Fun, but screen-tapping is no match for air guitar
The Mentalists' version of MGMT's synth-pop hit Kids is like an old dog walking on its hind legs - not especially good, but it's amazing they can do it at all. The bass is much more stilted than in the original song, and the impact of the synthetic drums are more restricted than a real kit.
The ocarina application they use, which mimics the flute, looks like great fun, letting you blow into the iPhone's microphone like a futuristic recorder.
As a proper instrument, though, I'm not sure it will catch on. Beyond just playing the right notes, pop musicians have an ingrained need to look spectacular, and fiddly screen-tapping is no match for a windmilling guitar arm - they look more like four friends standing around texting their mates than real performers.
Unlike the age-old guitar-bass-drums rock template, the world of live electronic pop music is still moving forwards in exciting directions. On Björk's last tour her band member played a reactable, a glowing table that makes sounds when you slide objects across it.
And artist Little Boots plays the Tenori-on, Yamaha's LED screen that creates music with light patterns. These objects prove that in live music at least, there is still something cooler than an iPhone.
