Rock duos are cool, power trios are tight, and five-piece groups are the industry standard. But some bands blow right past the conventional lineup and go full orchestra. Whether they’re fueled by funk, driven by jazz, or operating like a small nation, these bands prove that sometimes, the more the merrier—especially when the groove’s that good.
Here are 10 bands known for having a lot of members. Like, “you need a bus and a backup bus” levels of big.
Arcade Fire
This Canadian indie rock collective often features 9 or more musicians on stage, and each one plays multiple instruments. From hurdy-gurdies to French horns, they’ve redefined what a rock band can sound like—equal parts chaotic and cathartic.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The lineup for this psych-rock cult favorite has included over 40 different members across its history. At any given time, you might see up to 10 musicians on stage. The only constant? Frontman Anton Newcombe and a commitment to beautiful, messy unpredictability.
The Polyphonic Spree
How many people does it take to sound like joy itself? Apparently about 20. With their choral robes and symphonic arrangements, The Polyphonic Spree is less a band and more a pop cult in the best way possible. Choir, strings, brass—you name it.
Earth, Wind & Fire
The mighty EW&F created timeless funk with a full horn section, multiple vocalists, and a rhythm army. During their peak, the group could roll 12-15 members deep, bringing a wall of sound and a lifetime of groove to every stage.
Snarky Puppy
This genre-defying fusion band packs jazz, funk, soul, and rock into one set, and they do it with a rotating lineup of 25+ musicians. Their live performances are communal, improvisational, and packed with more musical degrees than a conservatory.
Parliament-Funkadelic
George Clinton’s wild, psychedelic, genre-shattering collective was a movement. With over 30 members across its various incarnations, P-Funk turned every stage into a mothership and every performance into a cosmic trip.
Slipknot
Nine members. All masked. All heavy. From multiple percussionists to a dedicated sampler and DJ, Slipknot’s live shows are pure audio assault. It’s metal-meets-theater—and their on-stage chaos is tightly choreographed for maximum impact.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Part revival, part indie-folk caravan, this group often hit the road with 10 or more members. The communal vibes, layered harmonies, and spontaneous energy made their concerts feel more like a celebration than a performance.
Broken Social Scene
Canada strikes again with this indie-rock supergroup that seems to add members like most bands add pedals. Their lineup has included 15+ musicians, often featuring artists from Feist, Metric, and Stars. Think controlled chaos with horns.
Chicago
Blending rock with a full brass section since the late ‘60s, Chicago’s original lineup had 7 core members—and some shows featured up to 10 or more musicians. The had the massive hits still on the radio today, and built a sound that took up every inch of sonic space.
