A Proms director says people in the middle-aged generation are still less likely to attend classical concerts because they associate the genre with “elitism.” In reporting on the issue, Daily Mail cites comments by Sam Jackson, 43, who argues that many people from his age group develop “hang-ups” about classical music before ever experiencing it. He describes a tendency to assume the Proms are “not for them,” rather than approaching the concerts with an open mind. The director’s remarks frame the problem as a perception and confidence gap: potential attendees may believe classical music is reserved for others, which discourages participation. The article presents Jackson’s view that these assumptions persist even as public access to live music continues to expand. Overall, the reporting focuses on audience attitudes toward the Proms and classical music, with Jackson linking lower engagement from his generation to social and cultural expectations rather than to any specific programming decisions or performances.