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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. 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 resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: so this is to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. By the time the event arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my brother called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”