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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. When the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d won, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, 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, named after the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”