The United States performed to Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal'

[kadioguy]

The United States performed to Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' for their team technical routine. Their routine included a synchronised moonwalk underwater, and saw them finish in seventh place for the first of three phases of the competition.

[Source] (in the video description)
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What does "to" mean in "perform to"?
How about just "The United States performed [no "to" here] Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' ..."?

 

[dunchee]

The American Heritage Dictionary entry: perform

The American Heritage Dictionary entry: perform

ahdictionary.com

9. As an accompaniment or a complement of: danced to the tune.

How about just "The United States performed [no "to" here] Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' ..."?

This means the team played or sang the song themselves.
They didn't.

 

[teechar]

What does "to" mean in "perform to"?

That means that artistic swimming team did their performance while Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" was played as accompanying music.

How about just "The United States performed [no "to" here] Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' ..."?

That would mean that the artistic swimming team themselves played "Smooth Criminal"!