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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. Once the event arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a band with my family member called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I create short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

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