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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off 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 accepted it fully 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 resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. Once the big day arrived, I could internalize the track in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d won, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a band with my sibling called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

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