Scotland's biggest music promoters warned a ban on booze ads would decimate festivals and push gig tickets through the roof, causing "huge job losses" - and said audiences would just travel down south instead.
DF chief executive Geoff Ellis said the curbs would "harm the Scottish economy, harm Scottish artists, harm Scottish businesses, reduce tourism and leave Scotland in a weakened position." "It's therefore also worth considering whether alcohol sponsorship of non-sporting events should be an area of potential restriction.
"It is not advertising and sponsorship that are the cause of the problem. Indeed, the fortified wine drink most anecdotally associated with violence and underage drinking is a brand that does not advertise at all. He said: "A proposed restriction on alcohol sponsorship and advertising will be nothing short of disastrous for Scotland's live music industry.