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At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was also present. He offered 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 “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my family member called the Southgates, 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 independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”