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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a group with my brother called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”