The show must go on ... eventually
Man behind SAP Center concerts looks back at the venue’s best moments and what lies ahead
“I don’t believe anyone in the industry thought that the impact of the pandemic was going to be as severe or as long-lasting as it has become.” — Steve Kirsner, vice president of booking and events at SAP Center
Steve Kirsner was 39 years old when he began putting on concerts and events at the SAP Center in 1996, back when the venue was known as the San Jose Arena. Yet, he began prepping for the job at a much earlier age. “I like to say that I started working in the entertainment industry when I was in the third grade,” says Kirsner, longtime vice president for booking and events at SAP Center. “I played the bass fiddle in the school orchestra but had zero talent. But they kept me around because I made myself useful by fixing instruments and setting up chairs and music stands for class performances.”
Kirsner has certainly come a long way from setting up chairs for grade school concerts to putting on shows by Beyonce, Garth Brooks, Prince, Miranda Lambert and the like at the arena that is also home to the San Jose Sharks.
Yet, the goal hasn’t really changed: Kirsner is still trying to help put on the best show possible.
We recently caught up with Kirsner, who has seen the once-thriving event and concert industry come to a unexpected halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an opportunity to both look back at his many years at SAP Center as well as peek at what could be in store for the venue.
QWhat was the first event you worked at SAP Center?
AThe first event I managed on my own at SAP Center was a San Jose Rhinos roller hockey game. The Rhinos were a summer sport that played home games at San Jose Arena and participated in
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Roller Hockey International (RHI), a professional roller hockey league.
QWhat have been some of the most memorable concerts/events you have booked and what made them memorable?
ABarbra Streisand (in 2006), because we were one of only a small number of venues she selected to play on that run.
Madonna (in 2012) because we had to carpet two dressing rooms, including the bathrooms and showers, change the toilet seats in the dressing room in the presence of a member of her staff, and cut all air circulation to her dressing room.
Beyonce, who performed a few months or so after Madonna, because she also wanted new carpet in her dressing room. We thought “Great, we still have the carpet that Madonna used. Let’s use it again.” But to no avail. Beyonce wanted black carpet and we had Madonna’s gray carpet.
Strikeforce MMA (in 2006) because we were hosting the first legally sanctioned MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) event in the state of California and drew more than 18,000 people to the event.
Hosting the prime minister of India (Manmohan Singh, in 2005) because it posed a ton of logistical issues we had to solve to ensure a safe event.
Oprah Winfrey (in 2015) because it was Oprah and it was a unique event and a full weekend that was held both inside and outside the venue.
Garth Brooks (in 2015) because I got to go onstage with Garth, high-five him, and shoot the confetti cannon.
QWho were your favorite acts growing up?
AI loved ’50s acts and music such as Sha Na Na. My friends and I would sing and dance along to their music every Friday night. I also love Neil Diamond, the Eagles, Elton John, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.
QWhen did you first realize that COVID-19 was going to impact SAP Center and the concert industry?
AI don’t believe anyone in the industry thought that the impact of the pandemic was going to be as severe or as long-lasting as it has become. Initial estimates were that we’d be postponing shows by two to four weeks max.
In April, when conditions didn’t improve and we continued to reschedule events, it became apparent that this was going to be a much more significant industry-wide setback.
I sat in on several Zoom calls with fellow industry professionals including venue bookers, general managers and the associations to which we belong, and everyone was thinking that we would be back in June or July. Obviously, that has not happened.
QWhat can you do at this point to start preparing for concerts and events? Can you even book a show and have a degree of confidence that, yes, it will happen?
AIt’s a good question. Most shows have been postponed to late 2021. My hope is that we will be able to host our first concerts in April or May as long as we are permitted to move forward by local and national health professionals.
I am currently working with promoters, agents, the Sharks and Barracuda — the Sharks AHL affiliate that also plays its home games at SAP Center — to look at dates on the venue’s calendar that each will need when we get going again.
The hope is that a vaccine becomes available soon and that we can start hosting fans back in the building shortly thereafter. I would anticipate starting with a reduced capacity at all events with social distancing and face masks required for everybody.
QWith all the possible COVID-19 related restrictions that will need to be in place down the road, will concerts even be fun to attend?
AAbsolutely. Like we have done in the past with other historical and life-altering events, we will return to normal when and where possible and will adapt to what will become our new normal. I am confident 2022 will be a great year for concerts!