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When I was just 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to jump, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event came, I could internalize the track in my being.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a band with my sibling called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”