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When I was just 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. By the time the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started performing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon 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 “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a group with my family member called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”