Taylor Swift and her backing musicians are so integral to 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 the Foo Fighters are on their own “mistakes 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 is in the recording studio and on stage as they travel the world.
In fact, Swift’s band and backing singers spend so much time with her that they have names – The Agency and The Starlights, according to Swift’s social media and fan page.
In addition, they perform with her wherever they are needed, whether on stage on the Eras Tour, at a TV studio performance or in the studio with her while she is recording.
So who are the musicians supporting the “Down Bad” singer night after night on the Eras Tour? Let’s meet the current members of The Agency and The Starlights.
Taylor Swift performs on The Eras Tour.
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Amos Heller – bass and keyboards
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Taylor Swift performs with her band in Lyon, France on June 2, 2024.
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Amos Heller was the bassist and keyboardist for The Agency even before the band had a name and before Swift was headlining all the arenas, according to his Instagram account.
He hinted as much in a birthday tribute to Swift in December 2023 on Instagram.
“The first concert I did with you had planks of wood perched precariously on top of cinder blocks on a dirt track. You were tireless, then as now,” the musician wrote in a heartfelt post of himself appearing on stage with Swift on tour Eras.
“I hope you have a moment to bask in the luxury of not only the incredible and measurable things you have accomplished, but also the quality of human beings who have flocked to your light, ready to join you in achieving the almost unimaginable. ”
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Heller called 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 has also been confirmed to have been in her band since before her first headlining tour on Swift’s fan page The Swift Agency and fan videos on TikTok.
Paul Sidoti — lead guitarist and vocalist
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Paul Sodoti with Taylor Swift and the guitarist in New York in December 2012. Kevin Kane/Getty
Paul Sidoti has been Swift’s lead guitarist and vocalist since 2007, meaning he also worked with her before her first headlining tour, Fearless tour.
In March, he and his wife Ashley had their second child, a boy.
“This morning we welcomed our little miracle Sammy Sidoti into the world.. Our prayers have been answered and mommy and baby are doing great.. Big sister Scarlett is thrilled to have a brother.. Much love to @ashsidoti ❤️🙏 🏻,” he wrote at the time in description of the photo of her newborn on Instagram.
Sidoti also posted a birthday tribute to Swift on Instagram in December, featuring throwback photos of herself posing with the Grammy winner through the years.
Michael Meadows – guitar, piano and vocals
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Taylor Swift with her band and vocalists in Stockholm, Sweden on May 17, 2024.
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Michael Meadows is a guitarist, pianist and singer who has worked with Swift since Fearless tour, according to the Swift Agency fan page and TikTok videos.
David Cook — piano and keyboards
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Taylor Swift at the piano on the Eras tour in Singapore.
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David Cook is a musician who works for Swift, not to be confused with American Idol winner. According to his Instagram account, he is currently playing guitar and keyboards for the singer.
According to Swift’s agency fan page, his first major tour with Swift was speak now which started at the beginning of 2011.
He also posted a series of Instagram photos with Swift through the years for her birthday in December.
“Reposting a short walk down memory lane in honor of #34 – happy birthday T, enjoy your day!!” he captioned the post.
Matt Billingslea – drums
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Taylor Swift with her band and singers from the Eras tour at the premiere of the concert film in Los Angeles in October 2023.
John Shearer/Getty
Matt Billingslea started playing drums for Swift during it Red era, according to the website of the Swift agency.
On Instagram, he regularly publishes news from the Eras Tour and congratulated the singer of “Naših” on the release of the album Speak Now (Taylor Version) in July 2023 on a social media page, confirming that he played on the album.
Max Bernstein – guitar
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Taylor Swift and the band perform in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November 2023.
Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty
Max Bernstein is guitarist on the Eras tour, after joining Swift’s team for Reputation tour, according to the Swift agency.
He also posts regular updates on Instagram from The Eras Tour and has confirmed his participation on Speak Now (Taylor Version) in a post on Instagram.
Karina DePiano – piano
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Taylor Swift performs in Lyon, France on June 2, 2024.
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Karina DePiano is a keyboardist and musical director who joined Swift’s team for The Eras Tour, according to TikTok, and whose main role on the tour is playing keys, according to her Instagram.
“It’s finally here. 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. No words. ✨,” she wrote. in a post on Instagram announcing that she had joined The Agency.
Kamilah Marshall – singer and dancer
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Taylor Swift with all the stars in Lisbon, Portugal on May 24, 2024.
Pedro Gomes/TAS24/Getty
According to her website, Kamilah Marshall joined Swift’s team and the Starlights during Red tour in 2013 and since then he has performed on all artist tours.
She has also worked with artists such as Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.
On Swift’s birthday in December 2023, Marshall wrote the “All Too Well” singer a song on Instagram.
Melanie Nyema – singer and dancer
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Taylor Swift and her team perform in Cincinnati, Ohio in June 2023.
Taylor Hill/TAS23/Getty
According to The Swift Agency, Melanie Nyema has been a backup singer with Swift ever since Red and has 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 this has been! And what an absolute pleasure to ride this huge wave with you. The way you inspire, support, motivate, love and truly share my laughs is literally second to none. That’s a big ask, because LOOK AT YOU , but here’s hoping 34 turns into your best year yet,” her caption for the photo collage read.
Eliotte Nicole Woodford — singer and dancer
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Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour at Gillette Stadium on May 20, 2023.
TAS Rights Management/Getty
Eliotte Nicole Woodford also joined the Starlights on Red tour in 2013 and has been performing with Swift for more than a decade, according to TikTok and The Swift Agency website.
“…You totally blew me away when on our lunch break you wanted to have a heart-to-heart about the things going on in our lives as 20-somethings,” Woodford wrote in her tribute to Swift in December 2023. Instagram, with with a photo of the pop star kissing her on the head.
“After that first job with you, I knew you changed something in me. I knew I HAD to work with you again because YOU ARE ONE OF ONE. 🦄.”
Jeslyn Gorman – singer and dancer
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Taylor Swift and her backing singers perform in Cardiff on June 18, 2024.
Shirlaine Forrest/TAS24/Getty
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Jeslyn Gorman is the newest member of the Starlights, joining Swift’s team for Reputation tour in 2018, according to the Swift agency.
“We are so proud of the beautiful art we create and live night after night in this incredible joy-filled show that the whole world will soon be able to see. I’m in a MOVIE!!!! What?!” she wrote in an Instagram post about the Eras Tour premiering in October 2023.
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Source: HIS Education