SOME OF TAYLOR SWIFT'S BAND MEMBERS AND BACKUP SINGERS HAVE BEEN BY HER SIDE FOR DECADES — MEET THE MUSICIANS
Meet the pop star's band — nicknamed The Agency — and backup singers The Starlights, who are currently supporting Swift on the Eras Tour
Taylor Swift and her backing musicians are such an integral part of her circle that they have their own group names — and some have appeared in her music videos.
Despite Dave Grohl joking over the weekend that his band Foo Fighters were on their own "errors tour" given the mistakes they make when playing live, Swift's Eras Tour group is made up of musicians and singers who have worked with her for years, with many supporting her both in the recording studio and onstage as they travel the world.
In fact, Swift's band and backup singers spend so much time with her that they have names — The Agency and The Starlights respectively, according to social media and a Swift fansite.
Plus, they perform with her wherever they're needed, whether on the Eras Tour stage, at a TV studio performance or in the studio with her as she records.
So, who are the musicians that have the "Down Bad" singer's back night after night on the Eras Tour? Let's meet the current members of The Agency and The Starlights.
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Amos Heller - Bass and Keyboards
Amos Heller has been a bass player and keyboardist for The Agency since before the band had a name, and before Swift headlined any arenas, per his Instagram account.
He hinted as much in a birthday tribute to Swift in December 2023 on Instagram.
"The first gig I did with you had wooden planks perched precariously on top of cinderblocks on a dirt race track. You were tireless, then as now," the musician wrote in a heartfelt post featuring him on stage with Swift during the Eras Tour.
"I hope you have a moment to bask in the luxury not only of the amazing and measurable things you have achieved, but also the quality of human beings who have come flocking to your light, ready to join with you in achieving the nearly unimaginable."
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Heller went on to call the "You Belong with Me" singer "an irreplaceable friend to my family and those I love most" and thanked her for making his dreams come true.
He's also confirmed to have been in her band since before her first headlining tour by the Swift fansite The Swift Agency and fan videos on TikTok.
Paul Sidoti — Lead Guitarist and Vocalist
Paul Sidoti has been the lead guitarist and a vocalist for Swift since 2007, meaning he's also worked with her since before her first headlining tour, the Fearless tour.
He welcomed his second child, a baby boy, with his wife Ashley in March.
"This morning, we welcomed our little miracle Sammy Sidoti into the world.. Our prayers were answered and mommy and baby are doing great.. Big sister Scarlett is over the moon having a baby brother.. All my love to @ashsidoti ❤️🙏🏻," he wrote in the caption of a photo his newborn on Instagram at the time.
Sidoti also posted a birthday tribute to Swift on Instagram in December, featuring throwback photos posing with the Grammy winner through the years.
Michael Meadows - Guitar, Piano and Vocals
Michael Meadows is a guitarist, pianist and vocalist who has worked with Swift since the Fearless tour, per The Swift Agency fan site and TikTok videos.
David Cook — Piano and Keyboards
David Cook is a musician who works for Swift, not to be confused with the American Idol winner. Per his Instagram account, he currently plays guitar and keyboard for the singer.
Per the Swift Agency fan site, his first big tour with Swift was Speak Now, which began in early 2011.
He also posted a carousel of photos to Instagram with Swift through the years for her birthday in December.
"Reposting a quick walk down memory lane in honor of #34 - happy bday T, enjoy your day !!" he captioned the post.
Matt Billingslea - Drums
Matt Billingslea began playing drums for Swift during her Red era, per the Swift Agency site.
He regularly posts updates from the Eras Tour on Instagram and congratulated the "Ours" singer on the release of Speak Now (Taylor's Version) in July 2023 on the social media site, confirming that he played on the album.
Max Bernstein - Guitar
Max Bernstein is a guitarist on the Eras Tour, having joined Swift's team for the Reputation tour, per The Swift Agency.
He also posts regular updates on Instagram from The Eras Tour and confirmed his participation on Speak Now (Taylor's Version) in an Instagram post.
Karina DePiano - Piano
Karina DePiano is a keyboardist and musical director who joined Swift's team for The Eras Tour, per TikTok, and whose main role on the tour is to play keys, per her Instagram.
"It’s finally here. I am so honored to be playing keys for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s sweeter than ever. First show last night in Glendale, AZ was ELECTRIC. Surreal. Speechless. ✨," she wrote in a post on Instagram announcing that she'd joined The Agency.
Kamilah Marshall- Vocalist and Dancer
Per her website, Kamilah Marshall joined Swift's team and the Starlights during the Red tour in 2013 and has performed on every one of the artist tours since.
She's also worked with artists like Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, and the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger.
On Swift's birthday in December 2023, Marshall wrote the "All Too Well" singer a poem on Instagram.
Melanie Nyema- Vocalist and Dancer
Per The Swift Agency, Melanie Nyema has been a backup singer with Swift since Red and been on every tour since.
Like most of Swift's team, she posted an Instagram tribute to the singer for her birthday in December.
"What a year it’s been! And what an absolute joy to ride this massive wave with you. The way you inspire, support, motivate, love, and truly split my sides with laughter is second to literally no one. It’s a big ask, because LOOK AT YOU but here’s hoping 34 shapes itself into your very best year yet," her caption of a collage of photos read.
Eliotte Nicole Woodford — Vocalist and Dancer
Eliotte Nicole Woodford also joined the Starlights on the Red tour in 2013 and has been performing with Swift for over a decade, per TikTok and The Swift Agency site.
"....You completely blew me away when on our lunch break, you wanted to have a heart-to-heart about things going on in our lives as young 20-somethings," Woodford wrote in her December 2023 tribute to Swift on Instagram, featuring a photo of the pop star kissing her on the head.
"After that first job with you, I knew you had altered something inside of me. I knew I HAD to work with you again because YOU ARE ONE OF ONE. 🦄."
Jeslyn Gorman - Vocalist and Dancer
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Jeslyn Gorman is the newest member of the Starlights, having joined Swift's team for the Reputation tour in 2018, per the Swift Agency.
"So proud of the beautiful art that we get to create and live in night after night in this incredible joy-filled show, that soon the whole world will get to see. I’m in a MOVIE!!!! What?!" she wrote in a post on Instagram about the Eras Tour film premiere in October 2023.
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2024-06-24T23:01:29Z dg43tfdfdgfd