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Check out William Shatner and his metal band’s outrageous Riot Fest rider demands
William Shatner has published a deliberately over-the-top list of rider demands ahead of his appearance at Riot Fest in Chicago in September, performing metal material with his band The *uckers. The 95-year-old Star Trek actor shared the requests on Instagram, framing them as tongue-in-cheek conditions for the show, which festival organisers say took years of persuasion to secure.
The demands include a boat renamed after him, a chance to sing at a Chicago baseball game and to co-anchor local weather TV, plus festival-specific requests such as a GWAR-made intro video, numerous fire breathers and a DeLorean to ferry him to the stage. Backstage, he has asked for a "Shatner's Shag Shack"-themed dressing room stocked with four feet of Polish sausage, eight pallets of Faygo, adoptable puppies and a John Stamos-signed hockey jersey. Shatner said the appearance reflects his love of exploration, while Riot Fest co-founder Mike Petryshyn joked he wasn't expecting quite such an eccentric list.
In short
- Shatner shares comically extravagant rider ahead of Riot Fest metal performance
- Demands include a renamed boat, GWAR video and fire breathers
- Dressing room requests: sausages, Faygo, puppies and a signed hockey jersey
Explained simply
William Shatner, the 95-year-old actor best known for playing Captain Kirk in Star Trek, is set to perform at Riot Fest, a major music festival held annually in Chicago. He will be appearing with The *uckers, a metal band, rather than in his traditional acting roles. Festival organisers say it took years of effort to secure his appearance for the September event.
A "rider" is a set of requirements and preferences that performers submit before shows, covering everything from technical equipment to backstage facilities and catering. These demands can range from purely practical concerns to personal requests that reflect an artist's personality or sense of humour. Shatner's rider for his Riot Fest appearance has drawn public interest and discussion.
The actor has demonstrated throughout his career a willingness to take on unconventional projects and to engage with his public persona in distinctive ways. His decision to perform heavy metal music with a backing band, and to publicly discuss his appearance requirements, represents another chapter in his varied entertainment career.
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