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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. 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 set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my stage 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 take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. By the time the event arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a band with my family member called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”