It was weird seeing State Farm Stadium packed like it was the Super Bowl, but without the jerseys. Instead, you had nearly 100,000 people—some estimates even push it higher—sitting in those red seats in Glendale, Arizona. They weren't there for a game. They were there for the massive, five-hour-long farewell to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
If you’ve been following the news, you know the backstory. Kirk was assassinated back in September 2025 during a tour stop at Utah Valley University. It's been a heavy few months for his supporters. When the memorial finally happened on September 21, the big question wasn't just which politicians would show up, but who would actually provide the music. People wanted to know who is singing at Charlie Kirk’s memorial because, honestly, the lineup looked more like a major Christian music festival than a traditional funeral service.
The Massive Worship Lineup in Glendale
The music wasn't just a side note. It was basically the backbone of the whole afternoon. If you were watching the livestream or sitting in the stands, you probably noticed that the vibe was less "somber dirge" and more "stadium worship."
The heavy hitters from the contemporary Christian music world were out in full force. We’re talking about the kind of artists who usually sell out these arenas on their own. Chris Tomlin, who’s basically the patriarch of modern worship music at this point, was one of the primary leads. He was joined by Brandon Lake, the South Carolina native who has been cleaning up at the Grammys lately.
Here’s the thing: Kirk was very vocal about his faith toward the end of his life, leaning heavily into the "Turning Point Faith" side of his organization. So, having these specific names wasn’t a shocker to those in his inner circle. Phil Wickham was also there, lending that high, soaring vocal style he’s famous for.
The stage also featured:
- Kari Jobe Carnes
- Cody Carnes
- Lee Greenwood (obviously, you can’t have a MAGA-adjacent event without "God Bless the USA")
- Steve Amerson
It was a lot. The setlist moved between high-energy anthems and those quiet, eyes-closed moments that you usually see at a Hillsong concert.
Why These Specific Artists?
A lot of people were asking why some of these artists would show up to such a politically charged event. It’s a fair question. The music industry, even the Christian side of it, usually tries to play it safe. But for Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham, this felt more like a ministry call than a political endorsement. Or at least, that’s how the fans talked about it online.
They played for hours before the actual speeches started. It kept the energy up. When you have a lineup of speakers that includes Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Tucker Carlson, you need a certain level of "bigness" to the production. The music provided that scale.
The Lee Greenwood Factor
Let’s talk about Lee Greenwood for a second. It’s almost a meme at this point, right? If there is a major conservative gathering, Greenwood is going to be there with his signature anthem. But at a memorial, it hits a little different. For the people in the crowd, many of whom were wearing "Kirk is a Martyr" shirts (which is a whole other controversy), "God Bless the USA" acted as a sort of bridge between the religious worship and the political rally atmosphere.
The Scene Inside State Farm Stadium
Security was intense. I mean, TSA-level intense. They had the SEAR Level 1 designation, which is the same security clearance they give to the Super Bowl. You couldn't just walk in with a backpack. There were snipers on the roof—a grim reminder of how Kirk actually died.
Despite the heavy security, the atmosphere during the singing was described by many as "electric." You had 100,000 people standing with their arms up, singing along to Chris Tomlin. It didn't feel like a funeral. It felt like a movement trying to find its footing after losing its main engine.
Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, was there, and she’s since taken over as CEO of Turning Point USA. Seeing her on stage while Kari Jobe sang "The Blessing" was probably the most emotional point of the entire five-hour marathon. It was a raw moment in a day that otherwise felt very choreographed.
High-Profile Speakers and Tributes
While the music was the heart, the speeches were the heat. President Trump flew in specifically for this, calling Kirk a "martyr for truth." It’s a heavy title. He wasn’t the only one from the inner circle there. You had:
- Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff)
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Tulsi Gabbard
- Marco Rubio
- Pete Hegseth
Even Elon Musk was spotted in the crowd. It was a massive show of force for the MAGA movement. They used the memorial not just to mourn, but to signal that Turning Point isn't going anywhere.
What’s Next for Turning Point USA?
Now that the songs have faded and the stadium is empty, the reality is setting in. Charlie Kirk was the face, the voice, and the primary fundraiser for TPUSA. Without him, the organization is in a weird spot. Erika Kirk is in charge now, but she’s stepping into a massive pair of shoes.
The music at the memorial served a purpose: it unified a base that was feeling pretty rattled. By bringing in the biggest names in Christian music, they messaged that the "spiritual war" Kirk always talked about is still ongoing.
If you’re looking for the recorded performances, many of them have been clipped and uploaded to the Turning Point YouTube channel. Just a heads up—some of the videos are being hit with copyright claims because of the music labels involved, so they might not be up forever.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to understand the impact of the memorial or keep up with the aftermath:
- Check the official TPUSA site: They have the full transcript of the speeches and high-res photos of the performers.
- Follow the legal case: The trial for the suspect, Tyler Robinson, is still ongoing in Utah. That’s where the real "final chapter" of this story will be written.
- Watch the music clips: Look for the Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake sets specifically; they were the most talked-about parts of the broadcast.
The event might be over, but the ripple effects are just starting to hit the 2026 political cycle.