William Shatner has announced that he will perform at Chicago’s Riot Fest, a legendary three-day punk rock festival.
The Star Trek actor, 95, will debut his heavy metal record with his newly formed band The *uckers in Douglass Park on 20 September.
It comes after the festival spent more than a decade trying to get him to perform.
Riot Fest posted a video of Shatner confirming the news on Friday.
Addressing the festival’s fans, the actor said: “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.”
Riot Fest posted that Chicago should rename a boat after Shatner so that he could “captain a ship again”, referring to his role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek.
Shatner also posted a photo of himself with a guitar, and wrote: “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 has a history of courting celebrities to perform, and actor John Stamos made his debut with The Beach Boys in 2025.
Twenty One Pilots, Iggy Pop, Tool, Morrissey, Alanis Morrisette, Pixies, and Rise Against all join Shatner on the bill this year.
Festival 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. But that Shatner Rider… wasn’t expecting that today.”
Shatner said that he is looking forward to the show.
He said 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.”
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