backing band

plural backing bands

1. UKA group of musicians who accompany an artist at a live performance or on a recording. This can either be an established group, or else an ad hoc group assembled for the purpose.

   The loss of his backing band isn't the disaster it may seem, either. On previous tours, Sheeran has been the only artist on stage - accompanying himself on a loop pedal instead of relying on other musicians.

   2026 September 16, Mark Savage, BBC

   1 more example

   He and his longtime backing band—keyboardist Paul “Wixy” Wickens, guitarist Rusty Anderson, drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., and bassist Brian Ray—tore through a slick, loudly-applauded rendition of “Let Me Roll It” before ascending into a white-hot instrumental jam of Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady.”

   2026 March 29, Matt Mitchell, “In LA, Paul McCartney is king”, in AV Club, archived from the original on 30 Mar 2026

   Synonyms: backup band