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Back when I was 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those moves and leaps. When the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a band with my brother called the Southgates, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”