5 Bands With Ridiculously Large Lineups

There are some bands out there that face difficulties in getting everyone together to practice because their lineups are comically large. What is truly impressive about these outfits is their ability to actively involve every member of the band to great effect in their compositions. Some of these bands have horns sections, multiple drummers, or instruments you’ve never even heard of, but they all create tremendous sounds that take full advantage of the instrumental power at their disposal.

1. Arcade Fire

Members: 7
Notable Instruments: Accordion, Hurdy Gurdy, Glockenspiel, Sitar, Gadulka
Genre: Alt-Rock

The members of Arcade Fire have so many instruments that it’s difficult to believe some of these instruments actually exist. On top of that, each member of the band knows how to play at least four instruments, with member Richard Perry topping that list playing an impressive 10 instruments throughout Arcade Fire’s catalog. Next time you listen to Arcade Fire, try to determine how many different instruments you can pick out from the fray.

2. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Members: 10
Notable Instruments: Organ, Horns Section
Genre: Funk, Soul, R&B

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings represent funk and soul at its finest. Their songs incorporate truly distinctive grooves with multiple guitarists and a massive horns section that work perfectly with Jones’ magnetic voice. Since Sharon Jones’ death in late 2016, the Dap-Kings continue to perform in her absence, recreating memorable, upbeat compositions in memory of their visionary lead singer.

3. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

Members: 10-15
Notable Instruments: Marimba, didgeridoo, charango, clavinet
Genre: Folk

While Edward Sharpe is a fictional character that was killed off for their most recent album, PersonA, the massive size of this lineup is a reality. In order to properly convey their massive American folk sound, there are plenty of unique elements that come together to create some of the more memorable tunes from the indie scene.

4. The Oh Hellos

Members: 10
Notable Instruments: Two Drummers, Accordion
Genre: Folk

This is one of those folk bands that “went there” when they decided that one drummer was not enough. Add a ukulele, violin, multiple guitars, and eight vocalists, and you have a truly memorable experience with some gigantic sounds. Started by siblings Maggie and Tyler Heath, this band has expanded from their roots in Texas to be 10-members large with a sound that continually grows with every release.

5. Typhoon

Members: 11-14
Notable Instruments: Two Drummers, Strings Section, Horns Section
Genre: Folk, Indie Rock

Another member of the “two drummers” club, Typhoon is able to incorporate at least 11 different instruments into every masterful song they create. The nonlinear compositions make brilliant use of a gigantic Oregon-based lineup, all backing lead singer, and songwriter, Kyle Morton. Make sure to take a look at their NPR Tiny Desk Concert to find the answer to how many people can possibly fit behind a desk.