Ears a tail of ninja rat with catchy melodies

A squealing and stumbling crowd packed the Savoy in Dunedin on Saturday.

New Zealand soul songstress Anika Moa drew about 100 excited tots and their parents out of bed early in the morning for her "Chop Chop Hiyaaa!" concert.

Many members of the crowd were dancing, shrieking and running around long before the musician appeared on stage.

While most of her audience did not have the faintest idea who she was, both Moa and her young crowd let loose.

Parents danced with their children to the catchy tunes, some singing along for what could well have been their 100th time of hearing one of her tunes.Moa took to the stage wearing rat ears and a tail to take on the character of a ninja rat.

She performed songs from both of her successful children’s albums Songs for Bubbas, and Songs for Bubbas 2 to the  sold-out audience.

On Saturday night, the versatile entertainer changed her set list and costume to perform hits from her In Swings the Tide 10th anniversary tour, also at the Savoy.

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz