AceShowbiz - William Shatner is embarking on an unexpected new path as a heavy metal musician at the age of 95, The Mirror reports. He is scheduled to make his live debut with his band, The *uckers, at Riot Fest, a renowned heavy metal festival taking place in September 2026.

Metro also revealed that Riot Fest founder Mike Petryshyn had been encouraging Shatner to perform at the event for several years before he finally agreed. The festival will showcase The *uckers, including guitarist Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan, guitarist Britt Lightning, and drummer Fred Aching. Riot Fest has playfully shared some of Shatner’s unique rider requests, such as renaming a boat in his honor and creating a dressing room dubbed "Shatner’s Shag Shack." The band is expected to deliver heavy metal renditions of Shatner’s musical catalogue and preview their upcoming album titled What the F Is Heavy Metal. Riot Fest 2026 will be held at Douglass Park in Chicago from September 18 to 20, featuring other notable acts like Alanis Morissette, Iggy Pop, and the Sex Pistols.

William Shatner is best known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in the classic TV series Star Trek (1966-1969), and he has appeared in over 160 film and television projects throughout his career. Despite his age, he has maintained a strong presence in entertainment, including recent appearances and musical ventures. Notably, he has openly discussed his health challenges, having previously battled stage four melanoma but is now cancer-free and in good health.

This surprising career move highlights Shatner’s lifelong spirit of exploration, which he likens to both space travel and music. His decision to dive into heavy metal underscores his willingness to embrace new artistic expressions, promising fans a performance full of volume, intensity, and unexpected moments at Riot Fest.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Mirror.