"Aaron Lewis is a patriot": Netizens react as Staind dedicates song to Charlie Kirk during live concert performance

Charlie Kirk, the conservative podcaster and commentator who was killed on September 10 at Utah Valley University, received a dedication from rock band Staind at their September 11 concert at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. One of the band’s founding members and its lead vocalist, Aaron Lewis, made an announcement before the band played its song, Something To Remind You, noting that the melodious track was their tribute to Kirk.

As clips of the dedication and of the band playing Something To Remind You began going viral on the internet, fans of both Staind and Kirk took to social media to emphasize their appreciation for the sentimental tribute to the slain 31-year-old activist. The clips of the dedication included fans at the concert chanting Kirk’s name alongside Staind’s rendition of Something To Remind You, and netizens observed that the tribute stunned them with its emotional resonance. A fan took to X to express his appreciation for Lewis as the singer and guitarist initiated the tribute, and wrote,

“Aaron Lewis is a Patriot”

Another fan posted a clip from the concert, highlighting how the crowd began chanting Kirk’s name, wrote,

“Staind dedicates “Something to Remind You” to Charlie Kirk. I have chills listening to the crowd’s response.”

Staind dedicates “Something to Remind You” to Charlie Kirk. I have chills listening to the crowd’s response. pic.twitter.com/66XE6LxQfq

— NukeTaco ™️🇺🇸 (@TacoforFive1) September 12, 2025

A Staind fan took to X to share that he was present at the concert and provided an insight into the environment while the band performed its dedication. The fan remarked:

“I was at that concert last night in Bethlehem Pennsylvania at the wind Creek Casino. Aaron Lewis bought goosebumps to the crowd with that song. I was so happy to see Aaron play a tribute to Charlie. Aaron Lewis is such a great unabashed patriot.”

More appreciation for Lewis and the band followed, with another netizen expressing:

“Aaron Lewis and Staind are exceptional, we need more like them”

Netizens mourned Charlie Kirk while listening to Staind’s dedication to the conservative activist

While a majority of fans of both Charlie Kirk and Staind applauded the band’s tribute to the young commentator, many fans took to social media to express their sadness and shock at Kirk’s sudden, untimely death. Kirk, who was shot while speaking to college students in Utah, was mourned by fans who felt that Staind’s dedication allowed them a space to grieve for Kirk.

A fan, reacting to Staind’s tribute, wrote,

“This gave me chills. It made me angry and it made me sad. I’m still numb in disbelief for this whole situation.”

Another netizen wrote a message for both Kirk and Lewis, and remarked,

“Love this so much!! RIP Charlie and thank you Aaron Lewis!!”

A fan of Kirk decried the fact that the activist died at such a young age and wrote,

“Now this gave me chills!   What a crying shame that Charlie can no longer mentor a new generation.”

Something To Remind You was released by the band in 2011, as a track from their album, Staind. The song peaked at number 19 on the Bubbling Hot 100 chart. This fall, the band is on a tour which began on September 5 and will go on till September 20. As per their social media page, the band will be touring Illinois, New Jersey, and Connecticut. For their upcoming concert in Atlantic City, Staind offered a chance to its fans to donate to a charity for veterans and a chance to win a special concert package.