Ben and Max Redman used to sneak into Austin City Limits as kids by telling guards they were under 10 years old and calling random adults their “mom and dad.” At this year’s festival, they’ll take to the stage as local teen band Residual Kid.

Call it “The Great South By Southwest Paradox.” A festival initially founded to shed light on local artists has slowly become overrun with superstars and big-budget sponsors. Its current form is unrecognizable from its humble beginnings. It was bound to happen, but don’t let that dissuade you from taking a chance on some of this city’s finest homegrown talent. Sometimes it pays to skip the three-hour lines, stop refreshing Drake’s Twitter and mosey into the charming dive bar you’ve been meaning to go to. You might find that your new favorite artist comes from your own city.