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William Shatner’s Riot Fest Rider Demands Are Out of This World
William Shatner, 95, has announced deliberately extravagant rider requests for his forthcoming Riot Fest appearance in Chicago, where he will perform with metal backing band The *uckers. The demands underline the festival’s playful promotion of his appearance and mark another unusual music venture for the Star Trek actor.
Shatner is due to play on Sunday 20 September and has requested, among other things, a renamed boat, a Cubs-game invitation, a GWAR-made introduction video, DeLorean transport, eight pallets of Faygo and adoptable puppies. He will be backed by musicians from Nuclear Messiah, while also continuing work on a heavy metal album featuring contributors including Rob Halford and Mikkey Dee.
In short
- Shatner’s Riot Fest rider includes deliberately over-the-top requests.
- The 95-year-old actor performs on 20 September.
- He is also recording a heavy metal album.
Explained simply
William Shatner is best known for playing Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek television series, a role that defined much of his acting career. The 95-year-old has more recently begun collaborating with metal musicians and is developing a heavy metal album, marking a new direction in his career.
Riot Fest is an annual music festival held in Chicago that features alternative rock, punk, and heavy metal acts, known for its eclectic and unconventional line-ups. The festival has built a reputation for embracing unusual programming choices that appeal to its devoted audience.
When musicians perform at major festivals, they typically submit riders—formal requests detailing their backstage requirements and hospitality needs. These documents are usually logistical matters handled behind the scenes, but riders can occasionally attract public attention when they contain unusual or noteworthy demands from performers.