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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those gestures and hops. Once the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner 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 at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the square erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a band with my family member called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”