We often hear about SXSW from the perspective of music journalists, but the yearly music extravaganza wouldn't happen if it weren't for the bands that relentlessly play show after show, often in the midst of a longer tour. We took to the Instagram accounts of some of our favorite musicians to get a glimpse of what SXSW is really like for the musicians that truly make the whole thing come together. The captions are their own.

Amanda X (@catpark)

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"Two of us made it to Austin, but have mutated. Should be cool tho." [tab]

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"I didn't know anyone could out do sky writing. Meet Bat Bean." [tab]

"Wet nurse. I LOVE THIS BAND." [tab]

"RADIOACTIVITY" [tab]

"A little time." [tab]

"Solids dudes #impose #sxsw" [tab]

"And here we go" [tab]

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"Alex" [tab]

"Dum dum girls" [tab]

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"Parquet courts #sxsw" [tab]

"Sxsw gloom" [tab]

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Beren Ekine of Tyvek (@sudbrink82)

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"First thing out of the van. Yikes." [tab]

"70 Degrees." [tab]

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"Stop it" [tab]

"Ready to get rad." [tab]

Craig Brown live on CARSON DALY... [tab]

"Just a lil daytime Spraypaint." [tab]

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#thebluffs [tab]

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"Parquet courts!"

Pins @wearepins

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"PINS live tonight at Central Presbyterian Church for @bella_union #sxsw" [tab]

"Hey kids, use suncream" [tab]

"Come to church with us tonight #sxsw" [tab]

"New fav band @b4lletschool xoxox" [tab]

"Hitchin a ride on the back of a pickup truck" [tab]

"Just in a GIANT house with @propertyoflois" [tab]

"At the @nylonmag pool party with our babes Lizzy @msmrsounds and @Chloehowl" [tab]

"Fun in the sun" [tab]

"The only band with better clothes than us ;-) #temples #sxsw" [tab]

"Saw Coachwhips play and then met John Dwyer!" [tab]

"Lois interviewing @helloseptembergirls xx" [tab]

"Me and Cole from @theblacklips" [tab]

"Breaking in to the Coachwhips show" [tab]

"Coachwhips frenzy" [tab]

"Thanks for the swag!! XXX @TheNakedGrape" [tab]

"What a way to end SXSW Festival. Thanks to everyone who came to see us play and all the beautiful people we met"

Dee Dee of Dum Dum Girls (@wearedumdumgirls)

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"Living the dream with legend Debbie Harry" [tab]

"This one @julesdumdum" [tab]

"Debbie x DDG" [tab]

"with one of our favorite fans @audreyhorny" [tab]

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"adios Austin" [tab]

@julesdumdum: "it's finally over! Ode to so many useless sxsw wristbands. Collaboration with @frankichan #sxsw #15shows"

Cassie Ramone (@cassieramone)

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"When in Texas #rootbeer #popcorn #tourdeliqueur" [tab]

"Exactly" [tab]

"SXSFUN @ryanpitchfork @shirley_braha @ilittle #crashingtrux" [tab]

"Pile of girls @shirley_braha @ilittle @lauramlloyd" [tab]

"Not my car not my problem #SXSFUN @ryanpitchfork @ilittle" [tab]

"The devil has Texas." [tab]

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"Illy with a bear @ilittle" [tab]

"NARDWUAR!!! @nardwuar" [tab]

"#wideawake" [tab]

"My new look is Unabomber Chic" [tab]

"This place is a fucking joke" [tab]

"#hand of god #free drinks" [tab]

"If you are still in Austin and want free beer follow this treasure map. I'm not joking. 12 pack of Lone Star hidden here"

Creepoid (@creepoidphilly)

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"See you soon @Sxsw #partyzone" [tab]

"WYTCHES @SAILORJERRYSXSW" [tab]

"Anna getting a tattoo @sxsw @oliverpecker #creepoid" [tab]

"New ink sxsw2014 @oliverpecker #creepoid" [tab]

"Beerland #destructionunit #sxsw2014" [tab]

"EXCULT AT #STREETLEGALGUITARS #SXSW2014" [tab]

"Tyvek #longbranchinn #SXSW2014 [tab]

"Natural Child" [tab]

Creepoid sxsw2014 1st show is tonight 9pm at the #gravefaceshowcase #gravefacerecords #sxsw #creepoid" [tab]

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"Coachwhips #sailorjerryhouse #sxsw2014" [tab]

"#sailorjerryhouse #SXSW2014 #creepoid #residuels" [tab]

"Tour life. #snowden #creepoid #SXSW2014 #trueusa" [tab]

"#thegoldenboys #SXSW2014" [tab]

"Homeless dude or creepoid #SXSW2014" [tab]

"#destructionunit #SXSW2014"

Fletcher C. Johnson (@fletchercjohnson)

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"We've got the Velvet King" [tab]

"Playing here at 8 o'clock. 401 Sabine St at 4th" [tab]

"@todd_znootz is about to play out of this robot in 30 minutes. Palm Door. 508 E 6th Street" [tab]

"BOOM" [tab]

"Our guy" [tab]

"Day off. #casualswimwear" [tab]

"Reigning Sound looks confused" [tab]

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"Us little guys got to stick together" [tab]

"Thanks to everyone at #sxsw Had a blast! Playing Houston tonight at Mango's with Har Mar Superstar. Free show! Let's keep this party going. Thanks to @hernameisali for coming up front and grabbing this pic"