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William Shatner, 95, Say He’s Playing at Coachella in 2027
William Shatner, the 95-year-old actor best known for playing Captain Kirk in Star Trek, appears to have let slip that he will perform at Coachella in 2027, as part of his newly formed heavy metal band. He made the disclosure during a CNN interview with his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, in which the pair discussed their podcast about surviving cancer, before the conversation turned to his latest musical venture and he confirmed the festival slot alongside anchor Elex Michaelson.
Shatner's band, called The *uckers, features guitarist and musical director Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan (known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol), guitarist Britt Lightning and drummer Fred Aching. The group will make its live debut at Riot Fest in Chicago on 20th September, ahead of releasing a debut album titled What the F Is Heavy Metal, and Shatner also has a new spoken-word project due out in August. Coachella organisers have yet to formally announce the booking.
In short
- Shatner, 95, hints he'll play Coachella 2027 with his metal band
- Band The *uckers debuts at Riot Fest, Chicago, on 20th September
- Debut metal album and a new spoken-word project also coming soon
Explained simply
William Shatner is a 95-year-old actor most famous for playing Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series, a role that made him a household name and cultural icon over decades. In recent years he has stayed busy with a range of side projects, from a documentary about his life and career to a podcast with his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, about surviving cancer.
Coachella is one of the best-known music festivals in the United States, held annually in California and typically associated with contemporary pop, rock and dance acts rather than veteran actors. Shatner's involvement stems from a new heavy metal band he has formed, joining several experienced musicians, including a bassist who has previously worked with Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol.
The story matters partly because of the novelty of a nonagenarian actor fronting a metal act at a major festival, and partly because it touches on how public figures continue reinventing themselves later in life. It also carries an element of uncertainty, since the disclosure came informally during a television interview rather than through an official festival announcement.