Riot Fest has released a hilariously ambitious list of supposed “demands” from legendary actor and musician William Shatner ahead of his metal band’s debut at the Chicago festival in September. The punk rock festival shared a personal video message from the 95-year-old Star Trek icon, announcing his first-ever heavy metal performance with his newly formed band The *uckers on September 20, 2026.
In a tongue-in-cheek post, Riot Fest explained that Shatner’s rider was “a lot.” They remain committed to showing him what he means to the festival. The festival humorously framed the list as requirements from the legendary actor and asked Chicago fans for help fulfilling these whimsical requests, noting they didn’t want “years of letter-writing to go to waste.”
Chicago must provide several unusual honors for Shatner’s visit. The city is asked to name a boat in his honor—a clever nod to his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk commanding the USS Enterprise. Additional demands include a billboard featuring Shatner and a fan, food named after the actor, and an opportunity for him to do the weather report alongside long-time Chicago meteorologist Tom Skilling. The list also includes a request for Shatner to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at a Chicago baseball game.
Riot Fest’s own requirements for hosting Shatner’s performance are equally theatrical. The festival must provide fire breathers during his set and an intro video created by the shock rock band GWAR. The standard artist golf cart will be replaced with a DeLorean—a playful reference to the time-traveling vehicle from Back to the Future. These demands are widely understood as satirical and reflect Riot Fest’s characteristically playful branding rather than genuine contractual obligations.
This announcement marks a surprising new chapter in Shatner’s storied career. At 95 years old, the Canadian icon is making his debut heavy metal performance. His addition to the 2026 Riot Fest lineup represents the culmination of the festival’s long-running effort to bring him to the stage, with organizers having spent years pursuing the legendary actor for a performance.
The Riot Fest 2026 event will take place from September 18-20 at Douglass Park in Chicago. Shatner will perform on the final day of the festival. His appearance alongside other major acts demonstrates the festival’s commitment to delivering unexpected and memorable performances that push the boundaries of what audiences might expect from a punk and metal music event.
