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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a band with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”