Drum circles aren't just for crusty hippies, indigenous African tribes and grizzled jam bands anymore. Dozens of stylish rock groups — from Swedish chanteuse Lykke Li and British electro-pop group Friendly Fires to more mainstream acts like Modest Mouse and Animal Collective — have begun incorporating secondary drum kits, bongos and other percussive instruments into their live shows and injecting a very tribal (and very Grateful Dead) vibe to their already ass-shaking grooves. "A lot of rock music in the DIY scene has become more electronic based," says Hisham Bharoocha of the ambient electro outfit Soft Circle. "I want to hear actual live music being played. So when you have extra drums live, it really helps people get into the performance." Two years ago, Bharoocha and the Japanese art-rock group the Boredums staged the ultimate drum circle 77 Boadrum, which featured 77 drummers jamming out underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The event was such a success they expanded the event to 88 drummers for '08 and plans are in the works to stage 99 Boadrum next fall. KEVIN O'DONNELL

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