William Shatner, the 95-year-old actor best known for his role as Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," is set to make his heavy metal debut at Riot Fest in Chicago. The event, scheduled for September 18-20 at Douglass Park, will feature Shatner’s newly formed band, The *uckers, performing on the festival’s final day.

Shatner's appearance coincides with the release of his upcoming album on Cleopatra Records, which reportedly includes covers of classic heavy metal tracks from Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, alongside original compositions. The band backing Shatner includes several seasoned musicians from the metal scene: guitarists Marcus Nand (known for his work with Mike Tramp and Candice Night) and Britt Lightning (formerly of Vixen and Cactus), bassist Phil Soussan (noted for his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol), and drummer Fred Aching (affiliated with Kings of Thrash, Dead Groove, and Fraxures).

The Riot Fest performance will also revisit and reinterpret selections from Shatner’s extensive musical catalog, which dates back to his 1968 spoken-word album “The Transformed Man.” Shatner experienced a resurgence in music with his 2004 album "Has Been," produced by Ben Folds, featuring collaborations with artists such as Henry Rollins and Adrian Belew. Over the years, Shatner has worked with a range of musicians including Joe Walsh, Zakk Wylde, Wayne Kramer, and Iggy Pop, who is also scheduled to perform at this year’s Riot Fest.

In a statement, Shatner described music as a form of exploration akin to space, expressing enthusiasm for the festival’s environment. “Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen,” he said. “We’re bringing volume, intensity and a few surprises. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.”

Riot Fest has developed a reputation for unexpected performances and unique collaborations. Notably, in 2025, John Stamos joined the Beach Boys on stage after persistent invitations from festival organizers. This year’s lineup includes popular acts such as Twenty One Pilots, Tool, Alanis Morissette, Patti Smith, and Morrissey. Additionally, local meteorologist Tom Skilling will come out of retirement to provide weather updates throughout the weekend.

Tickets and additional information for Riot Fest are available on the festival’s official website.