Home / Arts and Entertainment / William Shatner's Wild Backstage Demands Revealed
William Shatner's Wild Backstage Demands Revealed
16 Jul
Summary
- Shatner, 95, to debut heavy metal band at Riot Fest 2026.
- Rider includes fire breathers, DeLorean, and adoptable puppies.
- Festival courted Shatner for over a decade for performance.
After a persistent courtship spanning over a decade, 95-year-old William Shatner will finally grace the stage at Riot Fest 2026 in Chicago. The legendary actor is scheduled to perform with his newly formed heavy metal band, The *uckers, marking their inaugural live performance.
Shatner's appearance comes with an artist rider filled with extravagant and humorous demands. These include requests for numerous fire breathers, a GWAR-produced intro video, and his artist golf cart being replaced by a DeLorean. Backstage, Shatner's team has requested a dressing room themed 'Shatner's Shag Shack,' along with specific food items and a Montreal Canadiens jersey signed by John Stamos.
The rider also famously includes a request for 'an assortment of adoptable puppies, sourced from a reputable local animal rescue nonprofit.' Riot Fest founder Mike Petryshyn expressed his excitement, noting the long-standing effort to book Shatner and his surprise at the unique performance rider.
Shatner's band, The *uckers, comprises veteran rock musicians and will perform reimagined songs from his musical catalog, as well as previewing material from his upcoming heavy metal album. The festival, which runs from September 18-20, 2026, also features a diverse lineup including Twenty One Pilots, Alanis Morissette, and Morrissey.
