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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it struck me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to win this year.

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

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day came, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d won, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my family member called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”