New York, NY — The Audio Engineering Society (AES) is proud to announce that multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning and platinum-selling producer Andrew Watt will deliver a keynote address at the upcoming AES Show 2025 in Long Beach, CA. The event will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. PDT. Moderating the conversation will be special guest, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chad Smith, legendary drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Andrew Watt, one of today’s most in-demand producers, has shaped some of the defining works of the past decade, collaborating with an extraordinary range of artists including Lady Gaga, Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Ozzy Osbourne and The Rolling Stones. In his keynote, titled “Creativity, Collaboration, and the Modern Producer’s Role,” Watt will share insights from his journey at the forefront of contemporary music, exploring how he navigates genres, fosters collaboration and trust in the studio, and helps artists at every stage of their careers create career-defining work.
The keynote will offer attendees an intimate look into the unique creative bond between Watt and Smith. Longtime friends and collaborators, the two GRAMMY® winners have worked together on a range of award-winning projects, in addition to performing with their critically praised cover band, Smith & Watt Steakhouse, which performed memorable gigs in the Hamptons and at Brooklyn Bowl. That spirit of collaboration and camaraderie will be on full display as Smith brings his trademark energy and insight to the role of moderator.
“Andrew has become one of the defining producers of our time, and we’re thrilled to bring him to the AES stage,” said Audio Engineering Society president Gary Gottlieb. “Having Chad Smith moderate the discussion with Andrew makes this keynote even more special. We will see two musicians with a genuine history together offering an authentic, behind-the-scenes perspective on creativity and production in today’s music industry.”
This keynote will be a centerpiece of AES Show 2025, which takes place October 23–25 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. The convention will once again gather audio professionals, engineers, producers and students from around the world to share knowledge, explore new technologies, and celebrate the art and science of sound.
For more information about the AES Show 2025 program and registration, please visit www.aesshow.com.