When the news broke on September 10, 2025, that Charlie Kirk had been assassinated during a debate at Utah Valley University, the political world didn't just stop. It fractured. By the time 100,000 people funneled into State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, the atmosphere wasn't just a funeral. It was a massive, high-production spiritual rallying cry.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a memorial service look so much like a sold-out arena tour. But that’s exactly what happened. While the political heavyweights like Donald Trump and JD Vance grabbed the headlines for their eulogies, the performers at Charlie Kirk memorial were the ones who actually set the emotional tempo for the day.
Who Actually Performed?
If you were expecting a somber, traditional choir, you haven’t been paying attention to the "Turning Point" brand over the last decade. The lineup was essentially a "Who’s Who" of contemporary Christian music (CCM) and patriotic staples.
Chris Tomlin, arguably the biggest name in modern worship, led the charge. He performed "How Great Is Our God," which apparently was one of Kirk’s favorite hymns. There’s something kinda surreal about seeing a stadium full of people in MAGA hats and TPUSA gear with their hands raised in worship, but that was the vibe.
The roster didn't stop with Tomlin. You also had:
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- Brandon Lake: He did a gut-wrenching rendition of "Gratitude." If you’ve seen the clips on YouTube, you know the crowd was basically deafening during the chorus.
- Phil Wickham: Known for high-energy worship, he brought a slightly more reflective tone to the stadium.
- Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes: The husband-and-wife duo performed "The Blessing."
- Lee Greenwood: You can’t have a conservative memorial service without "God Bless the U.S.A." It’s basically the unofficial anthem of the movement. He performed it toward the end, and yes, the stadium went wild.
The Raw Emotion of the "Gratitude" Performance
One moment that keeps circulating on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) is Brandon Lake’s performance. Lake is known for a very raw, almost gravelly vocal style that fits the "stadium worship" aesthetic perfectly.
When he started "Gratitude," the giant screens showed a montage of Kirk—from his early days starting Turning Point USA as a teenager to his more recent, more controversial campus debates. It was a lot. Even if you didn't agree with the guy’s politics, the sheer scale of the mourning in that room was undeniable. Lake's vocals were genuinely emotional; he seemed to be struggling to get through some of the lines himself.
Why the Music Mattered More Than the Speeches
Speeches are for the history books. Music is for the people in the seats.
For the thousands of students who traveled from campus chapters across the country, the music served as a bridge. It turned a political tragedy into a spiritual mission. By choosing performers like Phil Wickham and Kari Jobe, the organizers were leaning heavily into the "Christian Nationalism" identity that Kirk had embraced more openly in the years leading up to his death.
It wasn't just about saying goodbye to a leader. It was about baptizing the movement in a specific type of cultural sound. That "stadium worship" sound is polished, it’s loud, and it’s designed to make you feel like you’re part of something much bigger than yourself.
The Setlist Breakdown
It wasn’t just a random assortment of songs. The flow was very intentional.
- Pre-service Worship: Hours of contemporary Christian tracks played as the stadium filled up. This wasn't background music; it was a full-on concert experience.
- The Opening: A heavy, reverent start with Tomlin.
- The Middle: Interspersing high-energy worship with speakers like Erika Kirk (Charlie’s widow).
- The Finale: Lee Greenwood bringing the house down with a patriotic crescendo before the final dismissal.
The Atmosphere in Glendale
State Farm Stadium is massive. Seeing it full for a memorial service is... weird. Usually, this place is for the Super Bowl or the Cardinals. But the logistics were handled like a major political convention.
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Security was, predictably, insane. Following an assassination, nobody was taking chances. There were snipers on the roof and metal detectors at every single gate. But once you got past the gates, the "performers at Charlie Kirk memorial" created an environment that felt more like a church revival than a high-security zone.
People were crying. People were praying in groups in the concourses. It was a strange mix of deep sorrow and a weird kind of defiant energy.
Looking Back at the Legacy
Now that we’re in 2026, the dust has settled a bit, but the impact of that memorial is still felt. Turning Point USA hasn't faded away; if anything, the "martyrdom" of its founder has accelerated its growth on campuses.
The performances that day were recorded and have been turned into various tribute videos that TPUSA uses for fundraising and recruitment. It’s a bit cynical to think about, but in the world of modern political organizing, a well-produced memorial is a powerful tool.
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If you’re looking for the full footage, a lot of it is still available on the official Turning Point channels, though some of the music has been edited for copyright reasons in certain regions.
What to Do Next
If you want to understand the cultural impact of this event, don’t just read the transcripts of the speeches. Go watch the performances.
- Watch the Brandon Lake "Gratitude" clip: It’s the best way to feel the actual temperature of the room that day.
- Check out the TPUSA "American Comeback" archives: They’ve released several "In Memoriam" videos that feature the music from the service.
- Follow the legal case: The trial of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of the shooting, is still ongoing in Utah. It’s providing a lot of context for why the security at the memorial was so tight.
The music defined the day. It turned a stadium into a sanctuary, and for the 100,000 people there, it was the only thing that made the tragedy make sense.