TAYLOR SWIFT'S ERAS TOUR INNER CIRCLE REVEALED: MEET THE BAND MEMBERS AND BACKUP DANCERS WHO HAVE BEEN BY HER SIDE FOR DECADES - AND SERVE AS HER SURROGATE FAMILY ON THE ROAD

• The popstar, 34, has been wowing fans with her Eras Tour
• Her band, The Agency, has supported her throughout her musical journey
• Taylor's vocalists, known as the Starlights, have also supported her

Taylor Swift has been blowing fans away with her jaw-dropping performances on her sold-out Eras Tour, traveling around the globe on a 152-stop trip that has seen a host of her A-list pals in attendance. 

But while the 34-year-old popstar - who is in a headline-making romance with Travis Kelce - has plenty of celebrity friends to bolster the audience numbers each night, as well as an NFL player partner willing to join her on-stage for the odd cameo, there is another oft-overlooked group of people making up Taylor's inner circle: her bandmates and backup dancers.

Taylor is undoubtedly the star of the show when she takes to the stage at every concert, but behind her is a closely-knit crew of performers, many of whom have been by her side for decades, having started working with her long before she became the chart-topping superstar she is today. 

So close are these musicians and dancers that they even have their own group names: while Taylor's band is called The Agency, her backup dancers refer to themselves as the Starlights. 

Over the years, these performers have become like family to Taylor - making up an important part of her inner circle, and standing by her side as she has weathered furious criticism over her album launch and, most recently, accusations by Foo Fighters legend Dave Grohl that she doesn't sing live on-stage. 

They have followed the songstress through the majority of her career and traveled worldwide with her to every stadium, stage, and studio. 

In fact, the group were also given exclusive insight into Taylor's relationship with Travis when he joined them on-stage for a surprise cameo in London. 

Travis has seemingly been welcomed into the fold with ease - even exchanging gushing public messages of appreciation on Instagram with Taylor's dancer Kameron Saunders, who gushed about the 'full circle moment' of performing with the NFL star on-stage after years of Chiefs fandom.  

And the singer has made sure to show her appreciation for her dedicated team, by spending time with them and their children even when the stage lights turn off. 

Because of their unwavering loyalty, Taylor has continued to reward her team - with her even splashing out a whopping $55 million in bonuses during her Eras Tour. 

As Taylor's tour continues to blow music lovers away, FEMAIL lifts the lid on all there is to know about her onstage squad that has been integral to her music career. 

 

The oldest member of her crew: Amos Heller 

The Agency refers to the singing sensation's musical band, who help her bring her songs to life every night. 

The band is made up of Amos Heller, Paul Sidoti, Michael Meadows, David Cook, Matt Billingslea, Max Bernstein, and Karina DePiano. 

Amos - who is Taylor's bass player and keyboardist - has been by the icon's side since before her band even had a name and way before she was selling out stadiums. 

On his Instagram account, Amos has even shouted out Taylor on her birthday. 

Alongside a slew of throwback photos of the pair, he wrote: '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. 

'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.' 

Amos branded Taylor 'an irreplaceable friend to my family and those I love most' as he praised her for helping her make his dreams come true. 

Fans have even taken a big liking to Amos and have shared fan edits of him performing on social media. 

 

Been there since the beginning: Paul Sidoti has been with Taylor since her very first tour 

Paul is another member of The Agency who is Taylor's lead guitarist and vocalist. 

He has been working with the Our Song hitmaker since 2007 - meaning he has been with Taylor since before she even headlined her very own tour, the Fearless tour. 

He frequently boasts about his close-knit friendship with the songstress on Instagram and previously shared a tribute to her on her birthday. 

Paul most recently welcomed his second child - who is sure to meet his pal Taylor - with his wife Ashley in March.

He shared the news on Instagram.  He captioned the heartfelt snap, '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 Ashley.' 

 

Micheal Meadows and David Cook are her ultra-private band members who consider the singer a close pal 

Much like the songstress, Taylor's band members keep their personal lives ultra-private. 

Although Micheal - who is the singer's guitarist, pianist and vocalist - has worked with Taylor since her Fearless Tour, little is known about him. 

David is another member and pianist of Taylor's band, who also plays the guitar and keyboard for the blonde beauty. 

He joined Taylor and the other band members in 2011 for her Speak Now Tour. 

David has previously celebrated the All Too Well hitmaker's birthday by sharing a post dedicated to her on Instagram. 

He captioned the post: 'Reposting a quick walk down memory lane in honor of 34 - happy bday T, enjoy your day!'

 

The newest members to join the crew: Matt Billingsea, Max Bernstein, Karina DePiano 

The newest members of The Agency are Matt, Max and Katrina. 

Matt plays the drums and has been working for Taylor since her 2012 album, Red. 

He frequently shares clips and snaps of him performing on stage during the Eras Tour and previously congratulated the songstress when she released Speak Now (Taylor's Version), which he confirmed he played on. 

Meanwhile, Max - who plays the guitar - began working for Taylor during her Reputation era in 2017. 

Similarly to Matt, he also worked on Speak Now and shares clips of himself and the performances online. 

Karina is the newest member of The Agency after she joined at the start of The Eras Tour. 

The pianist is also a musical director who frequently gushes about Taylor online. 

After nailing the spot, she took to Instagram to share an update. She wrote: 't’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.' 

 

The first member of the Starlights: Kamilah Marshall 

Kamilah is a vocalist and backup dancer for Taylor's Starlights team, which is made up of singers and dancers. 

She began working Taylor in 2013 and has stood by her side ever since. 

Kamilah has worked with a slew of other A-listers like Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige and The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger. 

Similarly to other members of Taylor's onstage squad, she has also praised the singer on social media. 

 

Stood by her side: Melanie Nyema joined the Starlights and became a close friend of Taylor's 

Melanie is another member of the Starlights who joined Taylor in 2013 as a backup singer and dancer and has been with her for every tour since. 

In December, she took to Instagram to celebrate Taylor's birthday. 

Melanie shared a slew of snaps that were captioned, '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.' 

 

Eliotte Nicole Woodford is the third member of the vocalists and frequently gushes about the singer 

Eliotte is the third member of the Starlights and also joined Taylor in 2013. 

She has been working with the Red songstress for over a decade and often waxes lyrical about her. 

In a 2023 tribute to Taylor shared on Instagram, she said: '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. 

'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.' 

 

The newest member of the squad: Jeslyn Gorman 

Jeslyn is the newest member of the Starlights and began working with Taylor in 2018. 

In 2023, she took to social media to praise the songwriter for her incredible talent. 

She wrote: '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?!' 

 

Chiefs superfan Kameron Saunders - who called Travis' on-stage cameo a 'full circle moment'

When Travis stepped out on stage at one of Taylor's Eras Tour concerts in London, it set the internet alight, sparking a frenzy of excitement among her fans. 

But the performance also struck a chord with someone much closer to home: Taylor's backup dancer Kameron Saunders, a long-time Kansas City Chiefs fan whose brother Khalen used to play with Travis on the team. 

Just a few days after Travis stormed the stage in a dashing tuxedo, Kameron took to Instagram to share his delight over the football star's performance, gushing about the excitement he felt at appearing alongside him. 

'I wanted to highlight this moment from London! This was such a full circle moment for me. I have been to countless Chiefs games with my family over the years to support my baby brother,' he wrote. 

'Three of those four years he was with the Chiefs we went to the Super Bowl and won twice... ABSOLUTE LEGACY!!! And now for you and I to share the biggest stage in the world with boss lady... full circle! 

'The Saunders family loves you, Trav! (Including our mom LMAO) thank you for your heart and kindness and goofiness.' 

And it seems the feeling is mutual, with Travis sharing a response to the heartfelt quote, writing: 'Kam! The Saunders brothers were already my favorites. 

'From winning Super Bowls with Sir Bink [Khalen] to having fun bringing Tay back to life on the stage with you the other night... and even hanging with Mama Saunders cheering you on in Australia! 

'More memories to come!' 

Although Kameron has only been by Taylor's side for a few months, the pair appear to have formed a very close bond - and if Travis's gushing compliments are anything to go by, he's firmly embedded himself in the popstar's inner circle.  

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2024-06-30T20:45:10Z dg43tfdfdgfd