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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. 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 overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

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

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d won, the venue exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community 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 helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a group with my family member called the Southgates, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I create short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”