William Shatner, 95, will debut his heavy metal band Uckers at Riot Fest Chicago, with the premiere scheduled for Saturday of the 2025 festival weekend. The booking places a Star Trek icon on a punk and metal bill. It is the first live Riot Fest appearance for Shatner.
The story is trending across music and pop culture news. Age, genre shift and a Riot Fest platform drive coverage.
Riot Fest 2025 Performance Details and What Fans Need to Know
Riot Fest Chicago 2025 runs September 19-21. Shatner’s Uckers is slated for Saturday of the festival. Organizers have not published a confirmed stage and set time as of publication.
Fan question is whether the slot is a full set or a guest cameo. Las Vegas Review-Journal reporting confirms a premiere at Riot Fest and describes rehearsals with the full band. That points to a full band performance, not a cameo.
Tickets for Riot Fest are sold via the festival’s official site. No official livestream for Shatner’s set has been announced. Updates are posted on Riot Fest’s official channels.
Who Is Uckers? Meet William Shatner’s Heavy Metal Band and Las Vegas Connection
Uckers is Shatner’s new heavy metal project. Formation was finalized in late 2025.
The lineup is bassist Phil Soussan, guitarists Zach Throne and Christian Brady, and drummer Brent Fitz. Soussan is a veteran bassist with previous work with Ozzy Osbourne.
Las Vegas is central to rehearsals. The band rehearsed at the Copa Room at Tuscany Suites on December 6, 2025. Photos from the session show Soussan, Throne, Brady and Fitz with Shatner.
Credibility questions persist. The musicians are established session and touring players. That supports a genuine musical presentation rather than a novelty act.
William Shatner Talks Going Metal for Riot Fest
Shatner has spoken about starting a heavy metal band at 95. He cites humor, theatricality and a desire to perform. Interviews with Yahoo Entertainment and Las Vegas Review-Journal cover the motivation.
He frames the project as performance art rooted in metal. The approach blends spoken word delivery with heavy instrumentation.
Enter Sandman Cover and Unusual Interpretation of Metallica
Uckers is preparing a cover of Metallica’s Enter Sandman. Shatner’s interpretation mixes spoken word, Star Trek references and metal riffing.
Soundcheck clips have circulated online. Reaction is mixed. Some fans note the theatrical delivery. Others highlight the unexpected genre pairing.
Setlist Expectations and Riot Fest Lineup Context
Expected material includes original Uckers songs and Shatner-themed reinterpretations. A Metallica cover is confirmed.
Riot Fest has a history of punk, hardcore and metal acts. Celebrity surprise debuts are part of the festival’s recent programming.
Shatner’s slot fits the festival’s willingness to book left-field live moments.
Fan Reactions, Social Buzz and Media Coverage
X, TikTok and Reddit threads discuss Shatner’s age and genre shift. Sentiment ranges from amusement to genuine curiosity.
Coverage includes USA Today, Yahoo Entertainment and Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Review-Journal piece notes Las Vegas ties and the Riot Fest premiere.
Debate centers on stunt marketing versus a real musical project. The presence of veteran musicians and scheduled rehearsals suggest intent beyond a one-off gag.
How to Follow William Shatner’s Metal Journey After Riot Fest
No album release has been announced. Rumors of a Las Vegas residency are unconfirmed.
Official updates will come via Shatner’s representatives and Riot Fest channels. Band content is not yet streaming on major platforms.
Follow Riot Fest announcements for set time confirmation and post-festival coverage.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When will William Shatner perform at Riot Fest 2025?
- A: Shatner’s Uckers is slated for Saturday of Riot Fest Chicago 2025, September 19-21. Organizers have not published a confirmed stage and set time as of publication.
- Q: Is Shatner’s Riot Fest appearance a full set or a cameo?
- A: Reporting confirms a premiere at Riot Fest with full-band rehearsals, pointing to a full band performance rather than a guest cameo.
- Q: Who are the members of Uckers?
- A: Uckers features Shatner with bassist Phil Soussan, guitarists Zach Throne and Christian Brady, and drummer Brent Fitz. Soussan previously worked with Ozzy Osbourne.
- Q: Will Shatner’s Riot Fest set be livestreamed?
- A: No official livestream for Shatner’s set has been announced. Tickets are sold via the festival’s official site and updates are posted on Riot Fest’s official channels.
Extended Reading
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Reporting on the Riot Fest debut and Las Vegas rehearsals is documented by Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Kats! guide and Yahoo Entertainment interviews with Shatner on his metal turn.