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Back when I was 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those moves and leaps. When the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a musical act with my brother called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”