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Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose 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 flexible enough to jump, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon 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 influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”