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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been organized globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

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 daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. When the event arrived, I could internalize the track in my soul.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a band with my family member called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”