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Back when I was 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

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

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a group with my brother called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”