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When I was just 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. 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 overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

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

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. One of the greats – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”