William Shatner, the 95-year-old actor best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, has announced his first heavy metal performance. He will take the stage at Riot Fest in Chicago on September 20, 2026, with his newly formed band, The *uckers.
Festival's Persistent Courtship
Riot Fest, a punk rock festival held at Douglass Park, had spent more than a decade trying to convince Shatner to perform. The festival's founder, Mike “Riot Mike” Petryshyn, said: “After years of persistently, and perhaps annoyingly, writing letters to William Shatner about performing at Riot Fest, it appears that he was finally compelled. I for one cannot wait to see Shatner get heavy.”
The festival's social media posts jokingly suggested that Chicago should rename a boat after Shatner so he could “captain a ship again,” referencing his iconic Star Trek role.
Shatner's Announcement
Shatner confirmed the news in a video posted by Riot Fest. He said: “Riot Fest fans, Shatner here. I’ve been thinking about all those letters you sent me, and I decided you’re such big fans of mine that I’m going to debut my heavy metal record at Riot Fest and I hope you’ll be there, I hope I’m there. I hope you have my rider and yes, don’t forget my bowl of sauerkraut, if you please.”
He also shared a photo of himself brandishing a guitar to promote the performance. In a written statement, he said: “I am going to be doing a live performance of my new live heavy metal spectacle to Douglas Park in Chicago on Sunday August 20, 2026. This is an event you definitely will be telling your grandchildren about! I hope to see you there.”
Riot Fest's Celebrity History
Riot Fest has a history of courting celebrities to perform. In 2025, actor John Stamos made his debut with The Beach Boys at the festival. Shatner's performance continues this trend, blending celebrity culture with the festival's punk rock ethos.
Shatner's Musical Exploration
Shatner expressed his excitement about the performance in a statement: “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.”
The performance marks a surprising career move for Shatner, who has previously released spoken-word albums and appeared in various musical projects, but never in a heavy metal context.
