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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been organized globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started performing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be yourself, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and musician in a group with my sibling called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”