# William Shatner to appear at Riot Fest with metal band

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/95-year-old-william-shatner-to-play-riot-fest-with-metal-backing-band/
- Published: 2026-07-15T20:32:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-16T04:15:06+00:00
- Original publisher: Consequence
- Original article: https://consequence.net/2026/07/william-shatner-to-play-riot-fest/
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- William Shatner, 95, to play Riot Fest with a metal band
- Show ties into his forthcoming heavy metal album for Cleopatra Records
- Riot Fest runs 18–20 September in Chicago

## Summary

William Shatner, aged 95, is set to perform at Chicago's Riot Fest in September 2026 with a metal backing band, continuing the Star Trek actor's unlikely late-career pivot into heavy music. The performance ties in with an ongoing heavy metal album he is recording for Cleopatra Records, and organisers have framed the show as a genuine live set rather than a novelty appearance.

Shatner will be backed by musicians from the Nuclear Messiah collective, including guitarist Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan (known for work with Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol), guitarist Britt Lightning and drummer Fred Aching. His forthcoming album features covers of Judas Priest songs "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" and "Living After Midnight", with guest appearances from Rob Halford and Mikkey Dee. Riot Fest runs from 18–20 September at Douglass Park, Chicago, alongside acts including Tool, Twenty One Pilots and Alanis Morissette.

## Coverage

- [Consequence: William Shatner to appear at Riot Fest with metal band](https://consequence.net/2026/07/william-shatner-to-play-riot-fest/)
- [Blabbermouth: WILLIAM SHATNER To Bring His Heavy Metal Vision To Stage With All-Star Band At RIOT FEST 2026](https://blabbermouth.net/news/william-shatner-to-bring-his-heavy-metal-vision-to-stage-with-all-star-band-at-riot-fest-2026)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.