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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “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 set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then all present started chanting the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my brother called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”