Meet Taylor Swift’s band, The Agency, and backing singers the Starlights

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.

Although Dave Grohl joked this weekend that his band Foo Fighters was on their own “mistakes tour” given the mistakes they make while playing live, Swift’s band Eras Tour is made up of musicians and of singers who have worked with her for years, many supporting her both in the recording studio and on stage as they travel the world.

In fact, Swift’s band and backing vocalists spend so much time with her that they have names — The Agency and The Starlights respectively, according to social media and a Swift fan site.

Additionally, they perform with her wherever they are needed, whether on stage on the Eras tour, at a TV studio concert, or in the studio with her while she records.

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.

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Amos Heller – Bass and keyboards

Amos Heller was bassist and keyboardist for The Agency before the band had a name and before Swift was headlining an arena, according to his Instagram account.

He hinted as much during a birthday tribute to Swift in December 2023 on Instagram.

“The first gig I did with you had wooden planks perched precariously on cinder blocks on a dirt running track. You were tireless, then as now,” the musician wrote in a heartfelt post showing him on stage with Swift during the Eras tour.

“I hope you will have a moment to enjoy the luxury of not only the amazing 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 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 also confirmed he was in her band ahead of her first headlining tour on Swift fan site The Swift Agency and fan videos on TikTok.

Paul Sidoti — Guitarist and lead vocalist

Paul Sidoti has been Swift’s lead guitarist and vocalist since 2007, meaning he also worked with her before her first headlining tour, the Intrepid 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 have been answered and mom and baby are doing great.. Big sister Scarlett is over the moon to have a little brother.. All my love for @ashsidoti ❤️🙏 🏻,” he captioned a photo of 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 over the years.

Michael Meadows – Guitar, piano and vocals

Michael Meadows is a guitarist, pianist and singer who has worked with Swift since Intrepid tour, according to 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. According to his Instagram account, he currently plays guitar and keyboard for the singer.

According to Swift’s fan site Agency, her first major tour with Swift was Speak Now, which began in early 2011.

He also posted a carousel of photos on Instagram with Swift over the years for her birthday in December.

“Reposting a quick walk down memory lane in honor of #34 – happy birthday T, enjoy your day!!” he captioned the post.

Matt Billingslea – Drums

Matt Billingslea started playing drums for Swift during her Red era, according to the Swift agency website.

He regularly posts Eras Tour updates on Instagram and congratulates the “Ours” singer on the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in July 2023 on the social network, confirming that he had performed on the album.

Max Bernstein – Guitar

Max Bernstein is guitarist on the Eras Tour, having joined Swift’s team for the Reputation tour, according to The Swift Agency.

He also posts regular updates on The Eras Tour’s Instagram and has 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, according to TikTok, and whose main role on the tour is playing keys, according to her Instagram.

“It’s finally here. I’m so honored to play keyboards for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour. It’s taken a long time and it’s sweeter than ever. The first show last night in Glendale, AZ was ELECTRIC. Surreal .Speechless ✨,” she wrote in an Instagram post announcing she had joined The Agency.

Kamilah Marshall – Singer and Dancer

According to her website, Kamilah Marshall joined Swift’s team and the Starlights during the Red tour in 2013 and has participated in every artist tour since.

She has also worked with artists like Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.

On Swift’s birthday in December 2023, Marshall wrote a poem to the “All Too Well” singer on Instagram.

Melanie Nyema – Singer and dancer

According to The Swift Agency, Melanie Nyema has been a backup singer with Swift since Red and I’ve been on every tour since.

Like most of Swift’s squad, she posted a tribute to the singer on Instagram for her birthday in December.

“What a year it’s been! And what an absolute joy to ride this huge wave with you. The way you inspire, support, motivate, love and truly divide me with laughter is second to none, literally, second to none. It’s a big ask, because LOOK AT YOU, but I hope 34 is your best year yet,” read the caption of one photo collage.

Eliotte Nicole Woodford — Singer 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, according to the website TikTok and The Swift Agency.

“…You completely blew me away when, during our lunch break, you wanted to have a heart-to-heart about the things going on in our lives as twenty-somethings,” Woodford wrote in his tribute to Swift in December 2023. Instagram, with a photo of the pop star kissing her on the head.

“After that first work 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

Jeslyn Gorman is the newest member of the Starlights, having joined Swift’s team for the Reputation tour in 2018, according to the Swift agency.

“So proud of the beautiful art we can create and experience night after night in this incredible joy-filled show, that soon the whole world will be able to see. I’m in a MOVIE!!!! What?!” she wrote in an Instagram post about the Eras Tour film premiering in October 2023.