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At the age of 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day came, I could sense the music in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion 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 “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. 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 drummer and musician in a group with my family member called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

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