Paperback Writer fills the air with Beatles tunes

Mostly Music in the Park series kicks off at Mercerdale.

By Andy Nystrom • July 18, 2025 4:30 pm

Beatles tribute band Paperback Writer wowed the crowd and had people singing and dancing at Mercerdale Park on the evening of July 17.

It was the first installment of the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation-sponsored Mostly Music in the Park series that will run Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. through Aug. 21. The series, which features presenting sponsors Seattle Airstream Adventures and the Mercer Island Community Fund, is free and family friendly.

On Beatles night, the world-renowned Paperback Writer foursome donned early-stage matching suits and then switched into colorful Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band regalia. The two-hour set included “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Eight Days a Week,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Got to Get You Into My Life,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “Paperback Writer,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and much more.

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“It’s a good gathering. They have a nice sound. I got up and jumped around,” said Seattle resident Dennis Zapata, who watched the Beatles on their legendary first Ed Sullivan Show television appearance in 1964. The memories came flooding back for Zapata during the Island event.

Mercer Island residents Dylan Alvarez Salinas and Justin Diller were stoked to be enveloped by the sounds of Paperback Writer.

“It’s a perfect scene, it’s all very groovy. Everybody’s just chilling and vibing. It’s all good vibes here, not a single frown amidst the crowd,” said Alvarez Salinas. “The band, they’re terrific. They just got into their new get-up right now (Sgt. Pepper attire).”

Alvarez Salinas is a casual Beatles listener and was driven to check out the show after spotting a poster at the community center.

Diller considers himself a Beatles fan and owns some of their albums on vinyl. He approved of Paperback Writer’s performance while sporting suits during their opening set.

“They’re doing a great job. I’m very excited for this next set,” said Diller, adding that Mercerdale Park is a great place to be for band watching. “After work, just come down here to wind down. It’s pretty awesome.”

City recreation program supervisor Katie Herzog estimated that about 300 attendees were on hand for the Paperback Writer concert.

“This is our only out-of-state band and they have played in all different countries. They play at Disneyland, so it’s really exciting to have them at Mercer Island. We actually kick off their Washington tour. I love booking the band, love the Beatles,” she said.

City council allotted $25,000 for the six-week series through the city’s recreation fund for special events. Those funds pay for bands, the stage and sound.

When booking bands each year, Herzog is searching for crowd pleasers.

“I think tribute bands and cover bands really bring in the crowd. It’s almost something for everyone. And hopefully some is nostalgic, some is experiencing new music, even if it’s old,” said Herzog, a big music fan who looks forward to picking the lineup each year.

Herzog aims to book local talent as well, and the series will feature Mercer Island cover band MIMX on July 24.

While the music is key, event attendees also visited a variety of booths that included Mercer Island Visual Arts League, Mercer Island Martial Arts, Bellevue College Parent Education and more.

Chick’n Fix was also selling meals and kids were playing cornhole and Connect 4 as the band rocked on.

Other event sponsors are Covenant Living at the Shores, Mercer Island City Lifestyle, 4Culture, The Crawlspace Gastropub and Neil Kelly Company.