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At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, 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 choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those moves and leaps. When competition day came, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my brother called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”