Quick Answer
Clue: “____ band”
Answer: ONEMAN
Answer length: 6 letters
Clue number & direction: 3-Down in the NYT Mini Crossword for January 24, 2026
The New York Times crossword clue “____ band” is answered with ONEMAN.
Why “ONEMAN” Is the Right NYT Answer
- The blank in “____ band” is completed by the phrase “one-man band,” meaning a performer who plays multiple instruments alone.
- Answer lists for the January 24, 2026 NYT Mini clearly give ONEMAN as the 3-Down solution for this clue.
What “ONEMAN” Means in Plain English
- A one-man band is a solo musician who handles several instruments at once, creating the effect of a full band all by themselves.
- In the grid, the phrase is written as ONEMAN (without a space) to fit standard crossword entry rules.
Crossword-Specific Help and Patterns
- In the grid, ONEMAN appears as O N E M A N, so partial patterns like ONE_A_ or O_EMAN point strongly to this fill.
- Variations of this idea show up in other crosswords too, such as cluing “___ band (solo act)” where ONEMAN is again the intended answer.
- On this Mini, crossings from PADTHAI, LUMIERE, BEDTIME, and OLDHEAD confirm each letter of ONEMAN down the column.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- For “____ band” with 6 letters, ONEMAN is a prime candidate; shorter entries (like PEP or RUBBER) won’t fit the enumeration.
When a clue hints at a solo act or “does it all alone,” think of ONEMAN or ONEWOMAN and match the length and crossings.
