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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing 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 judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” 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 listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started performing the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a group with my sibling called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically 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 the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”