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At the age of 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, 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 captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started singing the classic tune that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”