William Shatner, the iconic figure from the Star Trek franchise, is set to make his debut in the heavy metal scene with his newly formed band, The *uckers. This exciting development will take place at Riot Fest 2026, taking place in Chicago’s Douglass Park on September 20. The festival has finally secured the legendary actor’s participation after more than a decade of persistent attempts to book him.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/william-shatner-heavy-metal-band-071626-21e86d70b14a450989f9c40146582047.jpg)
Riot Fest has garnered a reputation for blending humour with its music offerings, frequently courting celebrities while promoting various fan-favourite acts. Previous efforts included a decade-long campaign to bring John Stamos to the festival, culminating in a humorous culmination in 2025 when he performed alongside The Beach Boys.
The announcement of Shatner’s participation was coupled with a performance rider that included an entertaining mix of outlandish demands and legitimate requests, some of which directly involve the Chicago community. For instance, Shatner has asked for a local boat to be renamed in his honour, a classic Chicago dish to bear his name, and an invitation to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at a Chicago baseball match. He has even expressed a desire to co-anchor the local weather broadcast alongside a well-known meteorologist.
The rider does not spare the festival itself either. Shatner has requested a number of unique elements for his appearance, including “many” fire breathers, an introductory video featuring the eccentric band GWAR, and the need for a DeLorean to replace his artist golf cart. Furthermore, backstage provisions include a dressing room styled as “Shatner’s Shag Shack,” a selection of Polish sausage and sauerkraut, and a signed Montreal Canadiens jersey from John Stamos. Notably, his rider includes the whimsical request for an assortment of adoptable puppies from a reputable animal rescue.
Mike “Riot Mike” Petryshyn, the founder of Riot Fest, expressed his excitement over securing Shatner for the event. “After years of persistently— and perhaps annoyingly— writing letters to William Shatner about performing at Riot Fest, it appears that he was finally compelled,” he commented in a recent press release. Petryshyn acknowledged the entertaining nature of Shatner’s rider, suggesting it was unexpected.
Riot Fest took to Instagram to highlight the ongoing joke associated with its long campaign to book Shatner, stating, “After 17 years of writing letters… Riot Fest 2026: Now with 100% more williamshatner.” This light-hearted approach has become a hallmark of the festival’s charm and appeal.
In response to this upcoming performance, Shatner remarked, “I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration. Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen. We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.” This commentary underscores Shatner’s enthusiasm for the unique atmosphere of the festival.
The *uckers, his band, features an impressive lineup of seasoned rock musicians, including Marcus Nand as guitarist and musical director, Phil Soussan on bass, Britt Lightning on guitar, and Fred Aching on drums. During this live performance, the band is expected to reinterpret selections from Shatner’s previous musical works while offering a sneak peek at tracks from his forthcoming heavy metal album, intriguingly titled “What the F Is Heavy Metal.”
In an exclusive statement, Shatner shared his reasoning behind the album’s title, saying, “That’s the name of the album because I know nothing or didn’t know anything until I found out how little I do know.” This candid reflection not only adds to his charm but also provides insight into his creative journey.
Riot Fest 2026 promises a diverse lineup, featuring other well-known artists including Twenty One Pilots, Iggy Pop, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, and Patti Smith, alongside many more than 100 acts scheduled to perform over three days. Shatner himself expressed excitement on his Instagram account, stating, “This is an event you definitely will be telling your grandchildren about!”
As anticipation builds for the event, Shatner’s heavy metal debut and Riot Fest’s quirky charm ensure that this edition of the festival will be one for the history books. With the countdown to September 18–20 already underway, music lovers are eager to see how Shatner will deliver on his promises of intensity and surprises in Chicago.