Review: She & Him soothe Red Butte Garden

A rather playful tone was struck Tuesday evening at the Red Butte Garden.

Clad in a light blue dress — to match her eyes — Zooey Deschanel bounced onstage to woo a packed crowd as the sun set over Salt Lake City. Deschanel and M. Ward of She & Him performed more than 25 songs that included almost all of the indie pop duo's third album, "Volume 3."

She & Him brought the crowd to its feet from the outset, playing soft melodies from their new album. Deschanel, star of Fox's "The New Girl," engaged the crowd sparingly, but when she did, it was with her familiar aloofness and sincerity that fans have grown accustomed to on TV. She asked questions such as, "What did you do today?" and then after 15 songs, told the crowd to sit down because, "We're going to slow it down a bit."

The 33-year-old from Los Angeles and M. Ward performed duets with the spotlight fixed on them as the sun set behind the mountains. "You Really Got a Hold on Me" and "Stars Fell on Alabama" mesmerized the audience.

The backing band returned after the handful of duets to finish with more pieces from the new album. She & Him was efficient in performance, wasting no time between songs and giving those in attendance what they wanted: smooth melodies and virtually all of the band's most recognizable tunes.

And it came with an air of playfulness that left a smile on your face.

mappelgate@sltrib.com —

She & Him

Where • Red Butte Garden

When • Tuesday, June 25