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Back when I was 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, national championships have been held in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is 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 earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those moves and leaps. Once the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a band with my family member called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: 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.”