I'm the Air Guitar World Champion

At the age of 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those moves and leaps. When competition day arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my brother called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”