The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word FIDDLERS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "musicians" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case musicians = fiddlers.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FIDDLERS mean?
FIDDLERS noun- One who plays the fiddle.
- One who fiddles.
- A burrowing crab of the genus Gelasimus, of many species. The male has one claw very much enlarged, and often holds it in a position similar to that in which a musician holds a fiddle.
- The common European sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos); so called because it continually oscillates its body.