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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to a large audience 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 opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back ready for those moves and leaps. Once competition day came, I could feel the song in my being.

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 air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a band with my sibling called the group title, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”