The 95-year-old actor’s band The *uckers now play Park West on September 19, a night before their Douglass Park set.
William Shatner‘s heavy metal band was supposed to play its first show at Riot Fest. It will now play its first show the night before.
Organisers have confirmed a run of sideshows around this year’s festival, and among them is William Shatner And The *uckers at Park West on September 19, which moves the debut forward a day from the Douglass Park set on September 20.
Riot Fest 2026 sideshows:
- Sep 17 – Reggies, Chicago, IL (Black Flag and The Crosses)
- Sep 18 – Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL (Chat Pile and Soul Glo)
- Sep 18 – Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL (Thrice and Hot Rod Circuit)
- Sep 19 – Park West, Chicago, IL (William Shatner And The *uckers)
- Sep 19 – Reggies, Chicago, IL (Show Me The Body and Whispers)
The Shatner project is not a novelty booking with session players. Guitarist Marcus Nand, who also serves as musical director, has worked with Mike Tramp and Candice Night. Britt Lightning of Vixen and Cactus takes the other guitar. Phil Soussan, who played bass for Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol, is on bass. Fred Aching of Kings Of Thrash and Powerflo drums. The asterisk in the band name is part of the name rather than anything a publication added.
The sets will rework material from across Shatner‘s catalogue, he has released around a dozen records since 1968’s The Transformed Man, alongside previews of a heavy metal album due on Cleopatra Records, announced in February.
“I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,” Shatner said when the Riot Fest booking was announced. “Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen. We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. With this incredible band behind me, I expect nothing less than lift-off. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.”
On Instagram he was blunter: “I am going to be doing a live performance of my new live heavy metal spectacle. This is an event you definitely will be telling your grandchildren about! I hope to see you there.”
Riot Fest say it took them years of letter-writing to land him.
The festival itself runs September 18 to 20 at Douglass Park in North Lawndale, its 21st edition, with more than 100 artists booked. Twenty One Pilots, Tool, Pierce The Veil, Iggy Pop and Alanis Morissette head the bill, with Sex Pistols, Bad Religion, Pixies, Alkaline Trio and Elvis Costello And The Imposters also on it. Daily schedules were published earlier this month.
