She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward) decked the Ryman Auditorium halls with musical harmonies, lots of laughs and Christmas cheer on Wednesday night (Dec. 8).
The Mother Church was decked out for the holidays as amps were made to look like snow piles and beautifully decorated trees lined the stage’s back. Ward and Deschanel also looked the part. He donned a plaid blazer and She wore an ankle-length green dress with a red bow around the waist. It was A Very She & Him Christmas indeed.
As a longtime fan of the duo, I wasn’t sure what to expect from their live show but it was truly a holiday delight from the beginning. Deschanel skipped out on the stage with Ward behind her, immediately going into The Christmas Song. They performed it beautifully as just a duo but, as they finished, the band and (the incredible) background vocalists joined them onstage.
“Hello Nashville,” Deschanel said to an adoring crowd. “We’re so happy to be here… This is kinda like our Nashville home, the Ryman. We always come here. It’s the best venue. It’s such a great venue.”
The night was only just beginning and it already felt special. But the highlight of the Christmas portion of the night was when She & Him did “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.” Deschanel made the song her own, truly making me forget another version existed.
The night was filled with music but they also brought the laughs. Comedian Pete Lee joined them for a Q&A which, somehow, led to conversations about chiseled centaurs. The funniest part of the evening was when Deschanel caught a case of the giggles — laughing through “The Man With the Bag.” Her laugh was contagious, tickling a lot of the audience as well.
The night was full of Christmas magic but She & Him made even more magic on the historic stage with songs from their other albums including favorites like “In The Sun” and “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” Ward and Deschanel really came to life with their original music (and a Ward original), even taking things to a rocking level for a few minutes.
There are only a few dates left on this Christmas tour but bring a little holiday cheer to your own home with their Christmas music on vinyl! Shop through their merch store here.
