Renegade Zoo's Journey Through Music and Inclusivity
Performing at the Stendhal Festival was among the standout moments of 2026 for Renegade Zoo, a band originating from a creative arts initiative for young adults with learning disabilities in Londonderry.
In recent months, the band has experienced a surge of activity, including the release of their debut album earlier this year, a summer show at the Foyle Maritime Festival, and a performance at the Stendhal Festival.
All members are students at Derry's Tuned In Project and describe themselves as neurodivergent and physically diverse musicians.
"Renegade Zoo is about not putting limits on ourselves,"says rapper Donna Marie Duddy, known as DM.
"It is about friendship and having the opportunity to write songs."
Before joining the band, DM had limited opportunities to explore songwriting.
"The lyrics come much easier than the melodies,"she notes.
Sorcha, DM, and SJ express their passion for writing, recording, and performing the band's music.
Formation and Growth Through the Tuned In Project
Philip 'Wally' Wallace, the music media teacher at the Tuned In Project in Derry, explains that Renegade Zoo emerged from the project's broader efforts to engage students in music.
"We realised we had a drummer and a few different players. Once we started meeting regularly, we realised we had the makings of a band."
Wally emphasizes the positive impact being in a band has had on the young members, helping them build confidence and self-esteem.
"What we try to do is help the students find their voice through music and make sure they know that voice is being heard.
Everyone in the band loves it, me included. It's hard work, but they put so much effort into the songwriting, recording and performing."
Debut Album Launch and Creative Process
In March, Renegade Zoo released their debut album, Eyes on the Road, at Derry's New Gate Arts and Culture Centre.
Singer and percussionist Sarah Jane Murray, known as SJ, describes the album launch as a highlight of her experience with the band.
"It was great to see everybody getting up dancing these songs that we created ourselves."
The 12-track album reflects the band's eclectic style and collaborative songwriting approach.
SJ enjoys the creative process, noting that some songs develop spontaneously during rehearsals.
"We'll sit together, come up with melodies and guitar riffs.
Sometimes Wally or somebody else will bring in a guitar riff and we'll build a song around it."
For SJ, Renegade Zoo represents "confidence and creativity."
"There's times that I might sing a wrong note or it might be a bit dodgy here and there and I just know for a fact that it's just a process, that it is alright."
Musical Style and Festival Performances
The band's sound incorporates a variety of influences, including rock, pop, alt-country, and hip hop, which members say defines Renegade Zoo's unique approach to songwriting.
Singer Sorcha Friel explains the thematic diversity of their songs.
"A lot of our songs aren't typical break-up songs or romance songs.
A Renegade Zoo song either has a great message or can just be a bit silly."
She shares that one track, "Waggledance," was inspired by an unexpected conversation about bees.
Performing at the Stendhal Festival's Woolly Woodland stage was a memorable experience for Sorcha.
"The bigger the crowd the better. I get more nervous with a more intimate crowd."
Looking Ahead: New Music and Future Plans
Following a busy early summer, Renegade Zoo has returned to the rehearsal room to write new material.
The band is planning for the future, with members expressing varied ambitions.
DM envisions a UK tour, while SJ considers a Northern Ireland tour a more attainable next step.
Sorcha's aspirations are straightforward:
"More new songs, more just being ourselves."
