May gig guide: the best live music events on the North Shore this month

Here’s your guide for gigs on the North Shore this May.

Did we miss something? Let us know: email [email protected].

Purple Disturbance

Purple Disturbance is a young fourpiece punk band from Coffs Harbour, NSW. See them live this month at Mosman Club. Free entry.

When: May 9, 8pm

Where: 719 Military Road, Mosman

Along the Field

The line up for dynamic classical performances at Neutral Bay’s Hayes Street Studio this month includes Louis Hurley singing, Natalia Harvey on violin, Lee Dionne on piano and Rosie Gallagher on flute. 

Together, they will be playing the works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Aaron Copland, Angélica Negrón and Nino Rota. Tickets $45.

When: May 7, 7pm

Where: 11 Hayes Street, Neutral Bay

Eric Bibb

The Grammy-nominated American blues musician plays at the Chatswood Concourse Theatre this month. The opening act is Australian soul and blues singer Karen Lee Andrews. Tickets $96.

When: May 10, 7:30pm

Where: 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Hardcore music at the Chatswood Youth Centre

Loud music, headbanging, high energy: this 12+ event lets kids enjoy heavy metal in a safe, supervised environment. 

The main act is Huntsman, with support from Accelerated Suffering, Caution, Strain of Karma, HammerHead and Served. Tickets $17, ages 12 – 15 must be accompanied by an adult ticketholder.

When: May 3, 1pm

Where: Chatswood Youth Centre

A Symphonic Sunset

The closing event for this autumn's Sunset Series will feature composer and vocalist Dyagula and the North Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Free entry.

When: May 17, 1pm

Where: St Leonards Park

Casey Donovan

Since taking home gold in the 2004 Australian Idol series, Australian singer Casey Donovan has gone on to release a studio album and multiple EPs. She plays on Mother’s Day at Cammeray Norths, as part of her This Is Me tour. Tickets $61.

When: May 10, 3pm

Where: 12 Abbott Street, Cammeray

Ben Lee

Kicking off his music career at 14 as a member of Sydney band Noise Addict, Ben Lee has gone on to release 11 solo studio albums. See him perform live at the Concourse Lounge, supported by Melbourne-based artist Matilda Pearl. Cabaret Seating tickets $56.

When: May 17, 6:30pm 

Where: 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Regular Gigs 

You can also expect weekly live music at the following venues this month:

The Treehouse Hotel, North Sydney — Trad sessions, 5:30pm, first Tuesday of every month 

Don Adan’s Coffee Tree, Mosman — Friday Jam Nights 6pm – 8pm

Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point — 8:30pm Fridays and Saturdays 

Blues Point Hotel, McMahons Point — 3pm every Sunday

KCs Honky Tonk, Crows Nest — 5pm every Sunday

Rag and Famish Hotel — 10pm every Friday 

Crows Nest Hotel — 10pm every Friday

Li’l Darlin, Crows Nest — 7pm every Thursday, 8pm every Friday

The Orchard Hotel, Chatswood — 6pm every second Wednesday from the 6th

Foys, Kirribilli — 3pm every Sunday