Renegade Zoo: The alt-pop rockers putting inclusivity centre stage

It has been a busy few months for Renegade Zoo, a band formed through a creative arts project for young adults with learning disabilities in Londonderry.

A debut album showcasing their brand of alt-pop launched earlier this year, a summer performance at the Foyle Maritime Festival followed, before taking to the stage at this year’s Stendhal Festival.

All students at Derry’s Tuned In Project, the band describe themselves as a group of neurodivergent and physically diverse musicians.

Rapper Donna Marie Duddy, known as DM, says Renegade Zoo is “about not putting limits on ourselves”.

She adds that is is about friendship and having the opportunity to write songs.

Before joining the band, songwriting was not something she had much chance to explore.

“The lyrics come much easier than the melodies,” she says.