re: Dave Grohl has angered the Swifties

And I’m in no way criticizing Rush. It’s impressive what they did.

I don’t know that Swift has a lot of musicians in the touring band. They make Amos play bass and synths.

ETA: They have a bass/synth player, two guitars, a drummer, another keyboard player, and backup singers.
I don’t know why they would need backing tracks.

Miscellaneous background fills that can't be covered by the kb player. Not everyone is Rick Wakeman. You can be pretty sure that the tracks are triggered off stage by someone. Or it may just be that they really are that good.

I guarantee there's a click track. Has to be with a programmed light show.

I'm not at all surprised at the big budget shows using them.

You may despise TS music, I don't care either way because I couldn't name a single tune of hers for a million bucks. But her band? Those dudes will be world class musicians.You don't go on a billion dollar tour with posers.

I don't think anyone is criticizing her band. They just do as they are told.

I don't even know if what Grohl said is true. I just thought it, and the reaction, was funny.

There are many levels to what some musicians consider "live" or not.

I don't personally consider click tracks to be a big deal. That doesn't make your show "not live"

I also don't think it's a big deal to have a track of a musician/instrument you don't have, like if you don't tour with a keyboard player (but there is no reason Taylor Swift should be cutting musicians to save money)

But lip-syncing or pretending to play an instrument while a track plays the actual music is a mortal sin.

It’s hilarious…
The thing is that over half of the touring acts use some techniques to supplement their sound are maintain quality.