Getting groovy with the Yoots

For those who can't help but sing along when they go to see live music, The Yoots are for you.

The Wellington super-group - made up 11 people, including members of Fat Freddy's Drop, the Black Seeds, Twinset and The Phoenix Foundation - will be playing Kuranui College on Saturday, part of the Greytown Arts Festival programme.

Saxophonist Lucien Johnson said the group started out in 2006 as a vintage Jamaican ska band but they have since changed tack.

"After a while we thought why are we playing all these Jamaican tunes when we could be playing some of those old New Zealand tunes, some of those Maori waiata?"

Johnson said they started experimenting with and reinventing classics, such as Nga Iwi E, Tutira Mai, and even A E I O U. They are working on Poi E but are not sure if it will be ready for the Greytown gig.

"Our album is called Sing Along with The Yoots, and the whole idea of the album is to sing along. We are instrumental but sing along sometimes as well and encourage the audience to sing along."

They even put the words up on a screen.

"I think it's a really good opportunity to hear some songs that people like and know.

"We will have the lyrics up so people won't feel stink trying to remember the words."

With two days until the opening of the Labour weekend festival, organiser Steffen Kreft said he was more excited than nervous.

"There's a real buzz in town, with people talking about what they are going to see, and ticket sales are going really well."

Mr Kreft said Friday night's Beat Girls gig was selling really well but there was still time to get tickets for The Yoots, One More Tune and Urban Tramper.

One More Tune and Urban Tramper will now play the Little Theatre at 8.45pm on Sunday, not at Kuranui College at 8pm on Sunday as planned.

The gig comes after a performance of The Kitchen at the End of the World and the puppet show audience can stay for the gig for $15.

"It's really different, experimental music. They can stay, have a drink and enjoy the concert. It will be a really nice Sunday night."

Get tickets for the Greytown Arts Festival events from www.greytownartsfestival.co.nz.