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Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my back set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had matched 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 rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then the crowd started chanting the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my sibling called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”