The Rise of GrooveGrid: Cracking the Code in Bulacan

It was March 16, 2024, at Brewstreet Coffee when the air turned electric and something shifted in the underground — a night that would go down as a catalyst for the local indie music renaissance in Bulacan. The event? Crack the Music Code, the first brainchild of GrooveGrid Entertainment, founded by Aldi John Dela Cruz. With a lineup packed to the brim — Northern Lads, Captain Jack, Leen TKR, Taemo, and more — this wasn’t just a gig. It was a declaration.

The venue pulsed with raw energy, the kind only the DIY music scene could generate. But while fans swayed, moshed, and screamed to the distorted echoes of rebellion, something else was happening — behind the lens.

Excapelabs: The Unseen Eye of the Scene

Though no official photos by Excapelabs were ever released from Crack the Music Code. The visionary founder of Excapelabs, captured moments from the event that were never posted — not because they weren’t brilliant, but because they were still finding their voice. “We weren’t ready,” she later shared. “It didn’t feel right to release something that didn’t yet reflect our full vision of experimental visual storytelling.”

But that moment of silence was only the beginning. A few months later, on May 5, 2024, Brewstreet Coffee celebrated its anniversary — and that marked the official first collaboration between GrooveGrid Entertainment and Excapelabs. Together, they launched Rock the 3rd Stage, blending sight and sound in a way that Bulacan hadn’t seen before.

From that explosive night forward, a new name emerged: Groovelabs Productions — a fusion not just of talents but of missions.

A Movement Brews in the Provinces

Metro Manila may be the mecca of mainstream, but Bulacan’s indie music scene has been quietly building its own — and now it’s screaming to be heard. From gritty street corners to converted cafés like Brewstreet, music isn’t just played; it’s lived.

Groovelabs became the beating heart of a diverse sonic uprising — uniting metal screamers, post-punk revivalists, reggae rebels, and shoegaze dreamers under one pulsing platform. And Excapelabs? Their lens captured it all in raw texture and vibrant contrast — the kind of music photography the Philippines didn’t even know it was missing, until now.

Visuals that Echo the Beat

What sets Excapelabs apart isn’t just the gear (though their low-light captures and analog-inspired treatments are undeniably fire) — it’s their commitment to creative event coverage in Bulacan that feels personal. No clean, sterile concert shots. Instead, think sweat-drenched chords, backstage cigarette breaks, and the eye contact of a performer mid-scream.

It’s about more than aesthetics — it’s preservation. “If we don’t shoot this, who will remember it?” Issa often says. And it’s true. Every unposted photo from Crack the Music Code is a relic, waiting to be unearthed.

Artist Spotlight: Captain Jack PH

Among the many indie warriors rising with Groovelabs is Captain Jack PH, a band that thrives on lyrical vulnerability and high-octane presence. “When GrooveGrid booked us, we knew this wasn’t just another set,” says Genesis, the band’s guitarist and songwriter. “It felt like being part of something real, something ours.”

Their sound — a fusion of progressive structures, alternative rock textures, and soul-baring poetry — has quickly become a favorite in the local scene, resonating with those who seek depth in distortion. Raw, unfiltered, emotionally loud — just the way the camera loves it.

Why Visuals Matter

Photography, when done right, becomes part of the music. It extends the life of a gig, spreads word-of-mouth like wildfire, and gives Filipino indie creatives something to hold onto — and something to be proud of.

Excapelabs isn’t just snapping shots; they’re shaping narratives. They turn fleeting moments into digital folklore. Through their lens, the underground art movement isn’t underground anymore — it’s front and center.

Where the Scene Is Headed

With Groovelabs Productions now gaining traction, expect even more fusions of sound and vision. And as the photos from Crack the Music Code continue to age like fine indie wine, we’re reminded of one thing: this movement may have started in silence, but it’s speaking loud and clear now.

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