I'm soon to be joining a new PF Campaign and I haven't tried Bard in any PF or D&D Session I played, so I decided that I would give Bard a try. However, I'm experiencing possibility overload with my research.
The role I want to play: The Secondary guy. That helpful guy that everyone likes. Get in a bit of singing, the occasional swashbuckling and the occasional ranged attack or spell as needed. Maybe even some face time.
Party I will be joining consists of a Barbarian, a Cleric, a wizard, and a Ninja
For this campaign, anything goes but Alternative Racial Traits, Class Archetypes, and Half Orcs.
There's a feat/gear combo that synergizes pretty well with the Bard's general area of buffing expertise - Flagbearer and Banner of the Ancient Kings. Between Inspire Courage (Which the banner buffs), and the Flagbearer/BotAK combo you'll be putting a ton of stacking bonuses out to the party.
Using a longspear for the Banner is actually a decent combat option for a bard too. It keeps you just behind the frontline, and and mixing in Power Attack, Arcane Strike, Combat Reflexes and the like can allow you to control enemy movement/do damage much like a Reach Cleric.
Flagbearer doesn't stack with good hope although it's always on.
I'd suggest an aasimar paladin and take the favoured class bonus to get fast access to the higher inspire courage bonuses.
Flagbearer/BotAK may not stack with Good Hope, but it basically gives you an always-on alternative that doesn't require a cast to start. The +4 levels to Inspire Courage and +4 Initiative bonus are great too.
As an alternative, the standard Archer Bard is always good. Picking up the standard Archery feats (Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Manyshot) and Arcane Strike will let you be an effective combatant as well as buffer. You don't even need a particularly good strength if you're content not to use composite bows and rely on Arcane Strike for damage.